Quick answer
Jacksonville costs $240/month less overall ($1,770 vs $2,010/mo). Jacksonville also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.4%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs Jacksonville
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
Colorado Springs vs Jacksonville at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,620 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,620 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $465K | $310K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $155 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $335 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,770 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 ✓ | 26/100 |
| Transit Score | 24/100 ✓ | 22/100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Jacksonville's 1BR averages $1,280/month vs $1,450 in Colorado Springs — a $170/month difference, or $2,040/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Jacksonville charges None state income tax vs 4.4% in Colorado Springs. On an $80K salary that's a $3,520/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,280 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Jacksonville are $310K vs $465K in Colorado Springs. At a 20% down payment, that's a $31,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $10 more per month than Jacksonville. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
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
Jacksonville, FL
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Jacksonville. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
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
Jacksonville
Subtropical: hot humid summers (June–October hurricane season), warm mild winters (60s°F)
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
Jacksonville top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
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
Move to Jacksonville if…
- →You're a military families
- →You're a remote workers seeking Florida tax benefits
- →You're a healthcare workers
- →You're a beach lifestyle seekers
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Jacksonville cheaper to live in?
Jacksonville is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,770 in Jacksonville vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $240/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Jacksonville?
Colorado Springs is more walkable with a Walk Score of 36/100 vs 26/100. Jacksonville is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Jacksonville: which has lower state income tax?
Jacksonville has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,520/year vs Colorado Springs (4.4%).
Is Colorado Springs or Jacksonville better for buying a home?
Jacksonville has lower median home prices at $310K vs $465K in Colorado Springs — a $155,000 difference on the median home.