Quick answer
Colorado Springs costs $80/month less overall ($2,010 vs $2,090/mo). Colorado Springs also has lower state income tax (4.4% vs 4.5%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Asheville vs Colorado Springs
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Asheville vs Colorado Springs at a Glance
| Metric | Asheville | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,550 | $1,800 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,000 | $1,800 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $460K ✓ | $465K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $155 ✓ | $165 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $385 ✓ | $395 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,090 | $2,010 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 42/100 ✓ | 36/100 |
| Transit Score | 28/100 ✓ | 24/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 4.4% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Colorado Springs's 1BR averages $1,450/month vs $1,550 in Asheville — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Colorado Springs charges 4.4% state income tax vs 4.5% in Asheville. On an $80K salary that's a $80/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,400 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Asheville are $460K vs $465K in Colorado Springs. At a 20% down payment, that's a $1,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $10 more per month than Asheville.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Asheville, NC
Asheville is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Colorado Springs, CO
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Colorado Springs. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Asheville
Four real seasons; mild summers (75–82°F); cold winters (35–50°F) with occasional snow; spring and fall are perfect; altitude 2,200 ft means less humidity than coastal NC; rainfall 50+ inches/year, heavily in mountains
Colorado Springs
High altitude (6,000 ft) creates cooler summers (75-85°F) and cold, snowy winters (10-25 inches annual snowfall); 300+ sunny days per year; dry desert-like conditions most of year; wildfire risk in surrounding forests; thin air at altitude requires acclimatization
Job Market
Asheville top industries
Colorado Springs top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Asheville if…
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a creatives and musicians
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a people seeking affordable mountain living
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Colorado Springs if…
- →You're a Military families
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts / climbers
- →You're a Aerospace professionals
- →You're a People seeking altitude and outdoor access
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Asheville or Colorado Springs cheaper to live in?
Colorado Springs is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,010 in Colorado Springs vs $2,090 in Asheville — a $80/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Asheville or Colorado Springs?
Asheville is more walkable with a Walk Score of 42/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Asheville vs Colorado Springs: which has lower state income tax?
Colorado Springs has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $80/year vs Asheville (4.5%).
Is Asheville or Colorado Springs better for buying a home?
Asheville has lower median home prices at $460K vs $465K in Colorado Springs — a $5,000 difference on the median home.