Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago and Colorado Springs have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Colorado salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Colorado Springs sits at 115 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $380,000 in Colorado Springs, a difference of $70,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,500 in Colorado Springs.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chicago scores 104 while Colorado Springs scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are lower than Colorado Springs (104). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $64,712 in Colorado Springs. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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