If the idea that Colorado Springs is affordable for singles holds true, you should test it against rents, utilities, food and transport costs rather than headlines. You’ll see one‑bed rents often around $1,200–$1,400, utilities and internet near $300–$350, groceries about $300–$400, and transport or car costs adding several hundred monthly. Keep going to compare those essentials with typical wages and what income you’ll actually need.
Housing Costs: Rent, Buying and Mortgage Considerations
Although housing in Colorado Springs varies by neighborhood and unit type, expect prices and rents to be above national averages: median home values hover around $445k–$557k and the city’s housing index sits near 115–116, while typical rents run roughly $1,110 for studios, $1,205–$1,296 for one‑beds, $1,411–$1,584 for two‑beds and $2,005+ for larger units.
You’ll weigh median home price against mortgage payments at current rates around 6.80%, which push monthly costs conspicuously higher than rent for many buyers.
If you follow the 30% rent rule, an average rent for a one‑bed (~$1,205–$1,296) implies gross annual income of about $48k–$52k.
Factor Colorado’s 4.63% state income tax and low property taxes when modeling net affordability.
Use the housing costs and cost of living index to compare neighborhoods, and run a mortgage calculator with your down payment, insurance and taxes to see whether buying or renting the one‑bed or larger unit fits your budget. Additionally, keep in mind that building a house can often be more expensive than buying an existing home, which is something to consider in your financial planning.
Monthly Utilities and Telecommunications Expenses
When you add up basic utilities for a typical 915 sq. ft. apartment—about $273 per month for electricity, gas and water—and internet at roughly $71, expect to pay around $344 monthly for utilities and broadband combined. In Colorado Springs, that combined figure gives you a reliable baseline to compare against average rent prices when building your monthly budget.
Electricity, gas and water break down to about $156.32, $63.54 and $52.25 respectively; alternate datasets show energy averages near $128.50–$169.45 depending on included charges.
Internet (60+ Mbps, unlimited) at roughly $70.62 covers standard home needs. Phone service is a separate, significant line item: expect mobile and home plans to average about $185–$192.15 per month. Regular inspections of related components can help maintain the efficiency of your home systems, much like how preventive measures keep air conditioning hoses functioning properly.
Groceries, Dining Out, and Food Budgeting
For day‑to‑day food costs in Colorado Springs, plan on about $347–$350 a month for a low‑cost grocery plan, with staples like a gallon of milk around $4.60, a dozen eggs $2.91 and a loaf of bread $4.27; grocery prices run roughly 2% above the U.S. average (groceries index ~101.0).
You’ll pay about $4,165 annually on that low‑cost plan, so use $347–$350 as your baseline for groceries in your average monthly budget. Eating out costs around $20.50 for an inexpensive meal and roughly $64.35 for a three‑course dinner for two, so factor dining frequency into food budgeting.
Pantry items — coffee ~$6.03, cooking oil ~$9.00, chips ~$4.26 — can raise costs if you rely on convenience foods. To control spending, shop staples, buy seasonal produce, and limit restaurant visits; compare prices versus rent and other essentials when setting your monthly targets. Additionally, consider budgeting for unexpected repair costs that may arise from home appliances or electronics, similar to the variability in school computer repair expenses.
This keeps your food budgeting realistic and tied to local price levels.
Transportation, Healthcare, and Everyday Services
Food and transport often eat up similar shares of a monthly budget, so after setting grocery targets you’ll want to quantify travel and healthcare costs as well.
Expect annual transportation for a single adult with a car near $10,313; families rise toward $17,298. Break that down: gasoline runs about $2.81–$3.04 per gallon, and auto upkeep (tires, oil, routine service) adds regular bills — a tire balance is roughly $65.11 and the area’s transportation index sits near 102.9.
If you use transit, local transit fares are $1.75 per ride, $4 day pass, $32 for 20 rides or $63 for a 31‑day pass.
For healthcare, plan average visit rates: $134.99 doctor, $132 optometrist, $106.17 dentist, with yearly medical expenses for a single adult near $2,782. Additionally, exhaust leak repair costs can significantly impact your budget if not addressed promptly, with average expenses ranging from $100 to $1,200.
Factor in personal services and entertainment — haircuts ~$34, movies ~$12, yoga ~$20.81 — noting non‑essential services run ~4% above the U.S. average.
Income, Wages, Job Market and Moving Budget
Although Colorado Springs’ job market is robust and growing, you’ll want to align expected wages with local costs before relocating. The median household income sits near $71k–$83k, while an average salary index is about $71,000/year (~$27.46/hr). A living wage for one adult is estimated at $22.67/hr (~$47,160/yr); recommended gross pay to afford median rent (30% rule) is roughly $51,840/yr. Colorado’s 4.63% state tax and reduced sales tax (now ~3.07%) affect take‑home pay. Additionally, understanding probate lawyer costs can assist in financial planning for potential legal expenses related to home ownership.
| Metric | Practical note |
|---|---|
| Job market | Unemployment ~4.1%; strong growth ~4.1% YoY |
| Income you need | ~$47k–$52k for basic housing affordability |
| Housing market | Median homes ~$445k–$557k; median rent ~$1,296–$1,568 |
| Moving budget | Prioritize first/last months’ rent, deposit, transport, utilities |
Target jobs in defense, tech, engineering and management to match living expenses and local wage levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Live Comfortably in Colorado Springs?
You’ll need about $4,320/month gross (roughly $51,840/year) to live comfortably, covering rent, seasonal utilities, healthcare access, commuting times, school quality, neighborhood safety, outdoor activities and craft breweries while balancing practical expenses.
What Is the Cost of Living Index for Colorado Springs?
You’ll find Colorado Springs’ cost of living index around 108–110. You’ll weigh housing market pressures, transportation costs, utility expenses, groceries inflation, healthcare access, education expenses, and leisure spending when planning a budget.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Colorado for a Month?
You’d budget about $4,900 monthly in Colorado Springs; include utility costs ~$343, grocery prices ~$347, transportation expenses, healthcare premiums, childcare costs if needed, entertainment options, and allocate for savings goals. Adjust for rent or mortgage.
Is Rent Expensive in Colorado Springs?
Yes — you’ll face moderately high rent: housing trends show prices above national average, seasonal demand and commuter patterns shift costs, pet policies and roommate dynamics matter, utility averages add up, and neighborhood safety affects premiums.
Conclusion
You can live in Colorado Springs on a modest budget, but the numbers matter: expect rent around $1,200–$1,400, utilities and internet near $344, groceries about $347, and transport roughly $860 monthly when annualized. Aim for a gross income near $48K–$52K to keep housing near 30% of pay. Plan for mortgage, taxes and healthcare too — think of your budget as a roadmap: follow it and you’ll know exactly where your money’s going.
