Moving from Boulder, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Relocating between Boulder, CO and Colorado Springs, CO is a 95 mi drive — 1h 56m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
95 mi · 1h 56m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, US 36, CO 157 |
| Major cities en route | Centennial, Aurora, Lakewood, Denver, Thornton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Boulder and Colorado Springs sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $964,531 in Boulder to $449,452 in Colorado Springs, a 4.3% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boulder | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.5°F vs 50.5°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Colorado Springs sees 32.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.44 |
Household income lines up — $85,364 vs $83,198 on ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Colorado Springs MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,150 | $44,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 31,520 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 30,370 | $38,520 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 26,830 | $79,240 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 21,400 | $37,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Winter gear first: Colorado Springs averages 32.5 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Colorado Springs?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 95 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 4.3% lower than Boulder (100.707 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Boulder and Colorado Springs?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 51.5°F in Boulder (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.5 in vs 92.8 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 21.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $964,531 in Boulder — a 53.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 95 mi and the route typically takes 1h 56m via I 25 and US 36. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boulder vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $85,364 in Boulder — a 2.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO · Colorado Springs, CO.