The cost of living in Colorado Springs in 2026 requires about $50,229 per year before taxes for one adult with no children under MIT’s El Paso County basic-needs model. That equals about $4,186 per month gross or $3,462 per month after taxes. Treat that figure as a minimum-needs floor rather than a comfortable target: current apartment rents, debt, retirement savings, emergency reserves, and discretionary spending can push the salary you need higher.
Editorial Note: Updated September 7, 2026 | Reviewed by Regional Economics Editorial Team [VERIFY: Author Byline] | Data sources: MIT Living Wage Model, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Colorado Dept. of Revenue, Colorado Springs Utilities, RentCafe/Yardi Matrix, Freddie Mac.
Quick Answer: How much do you need to live in Colorado Springs in 2026?
A single adult with no children needs a minimum required income of $50,229 per year before taxes ($4,186 per month gross), or $41,543 after taxes ($3,462 per month net), under MIT’s El Paso County basic-needs model. Current rental data adds useful context: RentCafe/Yardi Matrix lists average Colorado Springs apartment rent at $1,535 per month and a one-bedroom at $1,351 as of September 5, 2026. The Census median gross rent is $1,648, but that measure includes certain renter-paid utilities.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 living-wage threshold for a single adult in El Paso County is $24.15 per hour ($50,229 gross annual income).
- Rent depends on the benchmark: RentCafe/Yardi Matrix reports $1,535 average apartment rent and $1,351 for a one-bedroom, while Census median gross rent is $1,648.
- Colorado Springs Utilities’ 2026 four-service sample residential bill is $280.44 per month under its stated standard-usage assumptions; actual bills vary.
- Transportation remains a major basic-needs category at $709 per month for one adult in MIT’s local model.
- Childcare dramatically shifts family requirements: MIT allocates $17,955 per year for one child in a single-parent household and in a two-working-adult household with one child.
Financial note: MIT’s living-wage figures represent a basic-needs benchmark, not a comfort target. The model does not budget for restaurant dining, vacations, retirement contributions, long-term savings, or other discretionary financial goals. Debt payments and other personal obligations also require income above the baseline.
What Is the Cost of Living Baseline in Colorado Springs for 2026?
The MIT Living Wage Calculator for El Paso County estimates that one adult with no children requires $41,543 after taxes and $50,229 before taxes annually. That translates to approximately $3,462 net monthly or $4,186 gross monthly. MIT’s dataset was last updated February 15, 2026.
| Basic Need Category | Annual Estimate | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $14,426 | $1,202 |
| Transportation | $8,508 | $709 |
| Food & Groceries | $4,417 | $368 |
| Medical & Healthcare | $3,149 | $262 |
| Internet & Mobile Service | $2,175 | $181 |
| Civic Expenses | $3,876 | $323 |
| Other Basic Necessities | $4,992 | $416 |
| Required Income After Taxes | $41,543 | $3,462 |
| Estimated Income Taxes | $8,686 | $724 |
| Required Gross Annual Income | $50,229 | $4,186 |
MIT’s 2026 methodology treats these amounts as minimum but adequate costs. Food assumes meals prepared at home, and the model excludes restaurant dining, leisure travel, unpaid vacations, savings, retirement contributions, and other long-term investments.
A basic-needs budget is a financial floor, not a complete definition of comfort. Compare the MIT baseline with your actual rent, commute, debt obligations, and savings goals before deciding what salary is enough.
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How Much Does Housing and Rent Cost in Colorado Springs?
Housing is the largest single cost for many Colorado Springs residents, but different sources measure rent differently. The U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts reports a median gross rent of $1,648 for 2020–2024. Under the Census definition, gross rent includes contract rent plus renter-paid electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, and heating fuel.
For a more current apartment-market snapshot, RentCafe/Yardi Matrix reports an average apartment rent of $1,535 per month as of September 5, 2026. Studios average $1,010, one-bedrooms $1,351, two-bedrooms $1,637, and three-bedrooms $2,063. These are apartment-market averages rather than a guaranteed price for every available unit.
Neighborhood averages also vary. September 2026 RentCafe/Yardi Matrix data lists Northgate at about $1,894, Briargate at $1,711, Old Colorado City at $1,384, and East Colorado Springs at $1,248. Use neighborhood figures as comparison points and check current listings for the exact unit type and lease terms you need.
| Housing Benchmark | Monthly Amount | Required Annual Gross Income (at 30% Rule) |
|---|---|---|
| MIT Basic-Needs Housing Baseline | $1,202 | $48,080 / year |
| RentCafe Average 1-Bedroom Apartment | $1,351 | $54,040 / year |
| RentCafe Average Apartment, All Sizes | $1,535 | $61,400 / year |
| Census Median Citywide Gross Rent | $1,648 | $65,920 / year |
The $1,202 MIT figure is a modeled basic-needs housing allowance, the RentCafe figures measure the current apartment market, and Census gross rent is a broader historical median that includes certain utilities. They should not be treated as interchangeable measurements.
For prospective homebuyers, the Census reports a median owner-occupied home value of $452,600 and median monthly owner costs of $2,063 for mortgaged homes. Freddie Mac reported an average 6.71% 30-year fixed mortgage rate as of September 3, 2026. Buyers must also budget for property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, closing costs, and any applicable HOA fees.
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Pro Tip: Before signing a rental lease, request an itemized list of mandatory monthly charges. Parking, trash service, pet rent, utility administration fees, pest-control charges, and other property fees may not be included in the advertised base rent.
How Much Are Average Utilities in Colorado Springs?
Utility expenses depend on home size, weather, insulation, household use, and the services included in a lease. Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) provides municipally managed electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services across the city.
CSU’s March 2026 residential sample-bill calculation shows a $280.44 monthly four-service bill under its stated assumptions of a 30-day billing period, 700 kWh of electricity, 60 Ccf of natural gas, 1,100 cubic feet of water, and 700 cubic feet of wastewater. The sample breaks down to $106.67 for electricity, $42.55 for gas, $90.56 for water, and $40.66 for wastewater. Actual customer bills can differ substantially from this sample.
Internet and mobile service are separate from that four-service CSU benchmark. MIT’s El Paso County model allocates $2,175 per year, or about $181 per month, to its combined internet-and-mobile category for one adult.
Note: Avoid double-counting utilities. Census median gross rent already includes renter-paid electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, and heating fuel. If you budget from contract rent or an advertised apartment price instead, check the lease to see which utilities must be added separately.
What Is the Average Food and Grocery Budget in El Paso County?
The MIT Living Wage Calculator allocates $4,417 per year, or roughly $368 per month, for one adult’s food costs in El Paso County.
This is a basic grocery benchmark, not an all-in dining budget. MIT’s methodology bases food costs on the USDA Low-Cost Food Plan, which assumes a nutritious diet prepared at home. Restaurant meals, coffee shops, takeout, alcohol, and other discretionary food spending are not included in the $368 baseline and should be budgeted separately.
Transportation, Healthcare, and Personal Expenses
Transportation Expenses
The MIT model assigns $8,508 per year, or $709 per month, to transportation for one adult in El Paso County. MIT models this category using BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data and the Center for Neighborhood Technology H&T Index, including used vehicles, gasoline, motor oil, other vehicle expenses such as financing, insurance and maintenance, and public transportation.
For transit riders, Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) currently lists:
- Single Cash Fare: $1.75
- Day Pass: $4.00
- 20-Ride Ticket: $32.00
- 31-Day Unlimited Transit Pass: $63.00
A $63 transit pass is far below MIT’s $709 overall transportation allowance, but that does not mean every household can replace the larger budget with transit alone. Whether a car-free budget works depends on the location of your home, job, school, shopping, and other regular destinations.
Healthcare & Insurance
The MIT basic-needs estimate budgets $3,149 per year, or about $262 per month, for one adult’s healthcare costs. MIT’s methodology combines employee contributions toward employer-sponsored health insurance with out-of-pocket spending for medical services, prescription drugs, and medical supplies.
Personal, Civic & Miscellaneous Costs
The El Paso County model allocates approximately $323 per month for civic engagement and $416 per month for other necessities. MIT defines civic engagement to include regionally adjusted spending on education, reading, fees and admissions, pets, toys, hobbies, playground equipment, and related community-participation expenses. Other necessities include apparel, housekeeping supplies, personal-care products and services, household furnishings and equipment, and miscellaneous household equipment.
What Salary Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Colorado Springs?
There is no official salary that guarantees a “comfortable” lifestyle because debt, savings goals, family size, rent, transportation, and discretionary spending differ by household. A better approach is to use several transparent benchmarks.
| Salary Benchmark | Annual Gross Income | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| MIT One-Adult Basic-Needs Floor | $50,229 | Covers modeled minimum basic needs; not savings or discretionary comfort |
| RentCafe 1-Bedroom at 30% Rule | $54,040 | Keeps $1,351 average 1BR rent at 30% of gross income |
| RentCafe Citywide Apartment Average at 30% Rule | $61,400 | Keeps $1,535 average apartment rent at 30% of gross income |
| Census Median Gross Rent at 30% Rule | $65,920 | Keeps $1,648 median gross rent at 30% of gross income |
These housing-based figures are affordability benchmarks, not complete lifestyle budgets. If you want to save for retirement, build an emergency fund, repay debt, travel, dine out regularly, support pets, or spend on other discretionary goals, your target income should be higher than the minimum that merely covers rent and basic necessities.
To meet MIT’s basic needs while working full-time (2,080 hours per year), a single adult must earn at least $24.15 per hour. The 2026 Colorado minimum wage is $15.16 per hour, leaving a gap of about $8.99 per hour, or roughly $18,700 per year at 2,080 hours, between the statewide minimum wage and MIT’s El Paso County single-adult living wage.
The MIT Living Wage Calculator also publishes occupational salary benchmarks based on Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data:
| Occupational Group | Typical Annual Salary Benchmark | Budget Affordability Context |
|---|---|---|
| Office & Administrative Support | $54,390 | Above the MIT basic-needs threshold; close to the housing-only 1BR benchmark |
| Construction & Extraction | $63,210 | Above the current citywide apartment 30% benchmark |
| Sales & Related Occupations | $64,490 | Near the Census gross-rent 30% benchmark; individual earnings vary widely |
| Computer & Mathematical | $127,000 | Well above the basic-needs and renter-affordability thresholds |
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Local Income & Sales Tax Rates
When calculating net income, account for state and local tax structures:
- Colorado State Income Tax: Colorado’s 2026 individual estimated-income-tax worksheet calculates estimated state income tax at 4.40% of Colorado taxable income.
- Combined Local Sales Tax: Colorado Springs city sales tax is 3.07%, and the combined rate is 8.20% when applicable state, county, city, and regional taxes are included.
Is Colorado Springs Cheaper Than Denver?
Housing is currently cheaper in Colorado Springs than in Denver. RentCafe/Yardi Matrix reported average apartment rent of $1,535 in Colorado Springs versus $1,914 in Denver in early September 2026. That is a difference of $379 per month, or about 20% less for the Colorado Springs apartment average. Your total cost difference will still depend on transportation, job location, housing type, healthcare, and personal spending.
How Does Household Size Impact Required Earnings in Colorado Springs?
Adding dependents or sharing expenses with a working partner changes the required income baseline significantly. MIT’s 2026 El Paso County estimates are:
| Household Configuration | Required Annual Gross Income | Required Monthly Gross Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Adult, 0 Children | $50,229 | $4,186 |
| 1 Adult, 1 Child | $96,194 | $8,016 |
| 2 Working Adults, 0 Children | $70,415 (combined) | $5,868 (combined) |
| 2 Working Adults, 1 Child | $108,094 (combined) | $9,008 (combined) |
Childcare is the largest new expense for many working families. MIT estimates $17,955 per year in childcare for one child in a single-parent household and in a two-working-adult household with one child. In a two-adult household where only one adult works, MIT assumes the non-working adult provides childcare and therefore assigns no paid childcare expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a single adult need to live in Colorado Springs?
A single adult with no children needs approximately $50,229 per year before taxes, or $4,186 per month gross, under MIT’s 2026 El Paso County basic-needs model. That is a minimum-needs benchmark rather than a comfort budget.
How much does it cost to live comfortably in Colorado Springs?
There is no official comfortable-salary figure. MIT’s basic-needs floor is $50,229, while keeping the current $1,535 average apartment rent at 30% of gross income requires about $61,400 per year and keeping the $1,648 Census median gross rent at 30% requires about $65,920. Savings, debt repayment, travel, dining, and other discretionary goals require additional income.
Is rent expensive in Colorado Springs?
RentCafe/Yardi Matrix reports average apartment rent of $1,535 and average one-bedroom rent of $1,351 as of September 5, 2026. The Census median gross rent is $1,648, but that figure is based on 2020–2024 data and includes certain renter-paid utilities.
How much are utilities in Colorado Springs?
Colorado Springs Utilities’ 2026 four-service sample residential bill is $280.44 per month under its standard assumptions of 700 kWh electricity, 60 Ccf natural gas, 1,100 cubic feet of water, and 700 cubic feet of wastewater. Your actual bill can be higher or lower depending on usage, weather, household size, and home efficiency.
Can you live in Colorado Springs without a car?
It is possible for some residents, but it depends on where you live and work. Mountain Metropolitan Transit charges $1.75 for an adult cash fare and $63 for a 31-day unlimited ticket, while MIT’s broader one-adult transportation model allocates $709 per month for transportation overall.
How much income does a family with one child need in El Paso County?
MIT estimates that a single parent with one child needs a gross annual income of about $96,194, while two working adults with one child need about $108,094 in combined gross household income under the 2026 El Paso County model.
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Denver?
For apartments, yes. RentCafe/Yardi Matrix reported average rent of $1,535 in Colorado Springs and $1,914 in Denver in early September 2026, making the Colorado Springs average about $379 per month, or roughly 20%, lower.
Conclusion
The cost of living in Colorado Springs is best understood by separating basic needs from current market prices. MIT puts the one-adult basic-needs threshold at $50,229 annually ($4,186 gross monthly), including a $1,202 modeled housing allowance and $709 monthly transportation cost. Current apartment-market rent averages about $1,535, while Census median gross rent is $1,648. Before moving, compare your actual rent and commute against these benchmarks, then add debt repayment, emergency savings, retirement contributions, and discretionary spending to determine the salary you personally need.
Sources & References
- MIT Living Wage Calculator: El Paso County, Colorado — 2026 living wage thresholds, basic family budgets, childcare estimates, and occupational salary benchmarks.
- MIT Living Wage Calculator Methodology — Definitions, inclusions, exclusions, and data sources for the 2026 basic-needs model.
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Colorado Springs City — Median household income, gross rent, home values, and owner costs.
- RentCafe/Yardi Matrix: Colorado Springs Rental Market Trends — September 2026 apartment rents and neighborhood averages.
- Colorado Springs Utilities: Rates & Service Schedules — Municipal electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater rate information.
- Colorado Springs Utilities: March 2026 Residential Sample Bill — Four-service sample bill and usage assumptions.
- Mountain Metropolitan Transit: Fares Hub — Transit bus fares and pass pricing.
- Colorado Department of Revenue: 2026 Individual Estimated Income Tax — 2026 state income-tax calculation rate.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Colorado Springs Economy at a Glance — Metro employment and labor-market data.
- Freddie Mac Mortgage Rates — Current national 30-year and 15-year fixed mortgage benchmarks.
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