Living in Colorado Springs, CO
Explore Things to Do, Cost of Living, Top Restaurants and More

• 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Colorado Springs, CO? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs, CO, is a place where world-class athletes come to prepare for Olympic medals, where Army and Air Force personnel train (there are five military installations here), and where students come to study and enjoy college life. And, of course, there’s the spectacular scenery everywhere you look, which inspired Katharine Lee Bates to pen “America the Beautiful.” For all of these reasons and more, it’s no wonder people are moving to Colorado Springs.

The summit of Pikes Peak, situated just west of Colorado Springs, looms over the city, and the whole area is surrounded by incredible places to play. Garden of the Gods, for example, has various rock formations that jut out against the city’s beautiful blue skies. Plus, there are 375 miles of trails to explore, including lovely waterfalls. This sporty city bills itself as Olympic City USA and features the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, located on the former Ent Air Force Base. More than 15,000 athletes train at the center each year, and it attracts more than 130,000 visitors. 

Like the athletes who train here, residents mean business when it comes to business. This is an academic city with Colorado College, a private liberal arts school, the University of Colorado’s Colorado Springs campus and top-notch public schools. Industries such as cybersecurity, health care, advanced manufacturing and aerospace and defense are all crucial sectors in this city of 494,607 people. Some big-name employers include Progressive Insurance, Microchip and Lockheed Martin. And the welcoming business community makes it easy for military veterans to find their niche after years of service.

When it’s time to unwind after exploring the great outdoors and a hard day’s work, the downtown area is full of terrific restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, and the Springs offers a lower cost of living than many other parts of the state.

Top Reasons to Move to Colorado Springs 

• Home to the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak, there are plenty of things to do outdoors in Colorado Springs.
• Colorado Springs is a hub for aerospace and defense and has a stable, yet robust economy.
• Home to five military installations, including the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs is a top choice for military families and veterans.
• Colorado Springs is known as Olympic City USA, home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.

Colorado Springs is a stunning city at the base of Pikes Peak in central Colorado, right along Interstate 25. It’s known for its natural beauty and military presence. Colorado Springs Airport is right in the city, making travel convenient. When you’re ready to explore, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Denver is just 70 miles north, where you can visit the Denver Botanic Gardens or the Molly Brown House Museum.
• Pueblo sits 45 miles south, offering the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk and the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center.
• Boulder is about 95 miles northwest, home to the University of Colorado Boulder and the Pearl Street Mall.

Thanks to a high-altitude, semi-arid climate, the area enjoys four distinct seasons, with very low humidity and mostly clear skies year-round. The city boasts an average of 243 sunny days per year, featuring mild, dry summers and cold, snowy winters.

The city is known for its diverse economy, and some of the largest industries in the area are defense and aerospace, technology and cybersecurity and tourism and hospitality. For example, the United States Department of Defense is one of the largest employers in the city due to the large number of military and Air Force bases there. The tech industry has expanded rapidly, too, attracting companies such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Oracle. Also, The Broadmoor, a luxury resort, is a key employer in the city and attracts thousands of tourists each year.

The cost of living in Colorado Springs is above the national average. Still, it’s remarkably more affordable to put down roots here than in Denver, which makes it an attractive option for growing families and young professionals willing to live outside the state capital. 

The cost of living in Colorado Springs is slightly above the national average. The median home value in Colorado Springs is $467,743, and the average household income is $89,455.

Colorado has a state income tax. In 2026, the combined sales tax rate in Colorado Springs is 8.20%.

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Colorado Springs is known as Olympic City, USA, and for good reason. The city is home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and its flagship U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Colorado Springs is also the headquarters for more than two dozen national governing bodies across various sports, including USA Basketball, USA Swimming, USA Figure Skating, USA Wrestling and USA Cycling.

Experience the Games in Olympic City, USA

Colorado Springs delivers a vibrant mix: culture, outdoors and a strong community vibe. Downtown buzzes with dining, shopping and entertainment options. History and arts shine at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and the Western Museum of Mining & Industry. The Ford Amphitheater hosts top-tier concerts set against a mountain view, making for a delightful night out. Old Colorado City offers shopping with its numerous boutiques and galleries, and the Garden of the Gods Trading Post features Native American crafts.  

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Rock Ledge Ranch are kid-approved for family fun activities in the area. Looking for leisure? Enjoy spa treatments and golfing at the Broadmoor, the perfect place for a staycation. Dog-friendly spots like Red Rock Canyon Open Space and several local breweries are fun for furry friends. 

Go There: A Weekend Getaway to Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is built for outdoor fun. Garden of the Gods has red rock formations for hiking, horseback riding and exploring. Pikes Peak offers a 13-mile hike or bike ride to the top – a more than 14,000-foot summit for those seeking a challenge! There are tons of trails, more than 350 miles in fact, ranging from relaxed walks to more challenging hikes like the Seven Bridges Trail and Cheyenne Mountain State Park.

Adrenaline junkies can enjoy whitewater rafting or soar over the Royal Gorge on one of the nation’s highest zip lines. Families can explore Acacia Park’s cool playgrounds, and nature lovers can get lost in the mountains and forests. Residents never run out of outdoor activities, whether biking, hiking, climbing or just enjoying the views. 

Colorado Springs has a food scene that just keeps growing, mixing local flavors and global influences and a solid craft drink scene. Restaurants like Four by Brother Luck and The Rabbit Hole focus on farm-to-table fare, using fresh, local ingredients. Breweries like Bristol Brewing Company and Goat Patch Brewing Co. are part of the local beer scene and are beloved staples. 

Residents can enjoy all kinds of food here: German from Edelweiss, Indian at Mirch Masala and sushi from Al Sushi & Grill. Coffee shops like Loyal Coffee and Switchback Coffee Roasters are mainstays. And you’ll never go wrong with a burger from Skirted Heifer or a wood-fired slice from Pizzeria Rustica. The Broadmoor has upscale dining with mountain views for a fancy night out. The city is known for local specialties like green chiles, which are creatively incorporated at spots like Bingo Burger. 

How to Eat & Drink Like a Local in Colorado Springs

There are several public school districts in the area, including Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12, the best district in the state. Public Schools in Colorado Springs offer a variety of programs, including traditional, magnet, and alternative schools, and some even offer specialized programs in STEM, the arts and language immersion. There are plenty of private schools to pick from, too. The city is home to Fountain Valley School and The Colorado Springs School, which Niche ranked among the top 10 private schools in Colorado.