Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Boulder, CO
It is a 95 mi drive, roughly 1h 56m, between Colorado Springs, CO and Boulder, CO. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
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
| Colorado Springs | Boulder | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 105.202 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 82.741 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 157.02 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 100.707 vs 105.202 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.5% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $449,452 to $964,531 moving to Boulder.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Boulder -2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 52°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 22°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 88°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 92.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 21.2" |
Annual average temperatures in Colorado Springs (50.5°F) and Boulder (51.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Boulder averages 92.8 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, BOULDER, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Boulder |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 106,274 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $85,364 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 28.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 36.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.42 |
Median household incomes in Colorado Springs ($83,198) and Boulder ($85,364) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Boulder MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 19,760 | $91,230 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $47,560 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,360 | $50,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 17,660 | $37,440 |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 17,320 | $131,150 |
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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Boulder averages 92.8 in annually vs 32.5 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Boulder?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.5°F in Boulder vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 92.8 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 21.2 in vs 15.9 in.
How does the job market in Boulder compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $64,750 in the Boulder MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 194,440 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Boulder more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Boulder is 4.5% higher than Colorado Springs (105.202 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Boulder compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $964,531 in Boulder vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 114.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Boulder?
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.
How far is Boulder, CO from Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs vs Boulder?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $85,364 in Boulder vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 2.6% higher 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 Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Boulder, CO.