Moving from Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, CO
Moving from Denver, CO to Colorado Springs, 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
| Denver | Colorado Springs | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 100.707 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 83.195 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 96.052 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 116.207 | 100.0 |
Colorado Springs and Denver are close on the overall BEA RPP (105.782 vs 100.707); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 4.8% lower in Colorado Springs than Denver as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Denver -4.3%, Colorado Springs -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Denver | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 19°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 32.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 15.4" | 15.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 51.4°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: DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US, COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denver | Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 483,099 |
| Median household income | $91,681 | $83,198 |
| Median age | 35.2 | 35.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.8% | 25.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.44 |
Median household income in Colorado Springs is 4.8% below Denver ($91,681 → $83,198, ACS 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
Is Colorado Springs more expensive than Denver?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Colorado Springs is 4.8% lower than Denver (100.707 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Colorado Springs compare to Denver?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA vs $58,490 in the Denver MSA, on total employment of 310,390 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Colorado Springs, CO from Denver, 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.
What is the climate difference between Denver and Colorado Springs?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 50.5°F in Colorado Springs vs 51.4°F in Denver (0.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.5 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.9 in vs 15.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Colorado Springs compared to Denver?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $449,452 in Colorado Springs vs $539,666 in Denver — a 16.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Denver vs Colorado Springs?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,198 in Colorado Springs vs $91,681 in Denver — a 9.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Denver 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 72 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denver.
City profiles: Denver, CO · Colorado Springs, CO.