Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Denver, CO
Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Denver, CO covers 72 mi and about 1h 29m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
72 mi · 1h 29m by car · CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 25, I 225 |
| Major cities en route | Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Boulder, Aurora |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 5.0% pricier overall in Denver than Colorado Springs on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Denver typical home at $539,666 is 5.0% above Colorado Springs at $449,452 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 87°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 15.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 50.5°F vs 51.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Denver sees 49.0 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.17 |
Median household income in Denver is 5.0% above Colorado Springs ($83,198 → $91,681, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
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: Denver averages 49.0 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
Is Denver more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 5.0% higher than Colorado Springs (105.782 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs — a 20.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs — a 10.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Denver, CO from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 72 mi and the route typically takes 1h 29m via I 25 and I 225. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 72 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Colorado Springs and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 50.5°F in Colorado Springs (0.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 32.5 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 15.9 in.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO · Denver, CO.