Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
5% cheaper
Phoenix is 5% more affordable than Colorado Springs. A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs is equivalent to $71,429 in Phoenix.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Colorado Springs has a housing index of 115 while Phoenix sits at 102 (national average = 100). The median home in Colorado Springs costs $380,000 compared to $350,000 in Phoenix, a difference of $30,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Colorado Springs versus $1,400 in Phoenix.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Colorado Springs scores 100 while Phoenix scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Colorado Springs (104) are higher than Phoenix (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Colorado Springs is $64,712 compared to $57,459 in Phoenix. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Phoenix.
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