Quick answer
Raleigh costs $35/month less overall ($1,975 vs $2,010/mo). But Colorado Springs's 4.4% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $80/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs Raleigh
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 Raleigh at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 ✓ | $1,860 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 ✓ | $1,860 |
| Median Home Price | $465K | $420K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $350 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,975 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 25/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 4.5% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Raleigh's 1BR averages $1,450/month vs $1,480 in Colorado Springs — a $30/month difference, or $360/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 Raleigh. 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 Raleigh are $420K vs $465K in Colorado Springs. At a 20% down payment, that's a $9,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $20 more per month than Raleigh. 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
Raleigh, NC
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Raleigh. 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
Raleigh
Four mild seasons; hot humid summers (heat index 100–105°F in July), light winters, excellent spring and fall
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
Raleigh 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 Raleigh if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a biotech / pharma professionals
- →You're a researchers
- →You're a young families
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,975 in Raleigh vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $35/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Raleigh?
Colorado Springs is more walkable with a Walk Score of 36/100 vs 34/100. Raleigh is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Raleigh: which has lower state income tax?
Colorado Springs has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $80/year vs Raleigh (4.5%).
Is Colorado Springs or Raleigh better for buying a home?
Raleigh has lower median home prices at $420K vs $465K in Colorado Springs — a $45,000 difference on the median home.