colorado springs skyline

Is Colorado Springs a Good Place to Live?

Situated at the eastern edge of the Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is one of the most talked about cities in the United States. Referred to locally as “The Springs,” the city is located close to Garden of the Gods Park, Pikes Peak, and several other exciting attractions. Every year, Colorado Springs is ranked as one of the best cities to live in the United States.

If you’re considering Colorado Springs as your next home, keep reading to discover more about one of Colorado’s finest cities. You’ll learn more about the rich history of Colorado Springs and bring to light the array of pros that make living in “The Springs” a unique and enjoyable experience.

Where is Colorado Springs Located?

Colorado Springs is the second-most populous city in Colorado (behind Denver) and is located in El Paso county in central Colorado. Colorado Springs is located approximately 70 miles south of Denver, 97 miles south of Boulder, CO, and 45 miles north of Pueblo, CO. According to the 2020 Census, Colorado Springs supports an approximate population of 478,961 residents.

Colorado Springs, CO Data*
Population (2010) 416,427
Population (2020) 478,961
Area (sq. mi.) 195.761
Land Area (sq. mi.) 195.399
Water Area (sq. mi.) 0.362
Time Zone UTC-7 (MST)

* Data from Census.gov.

The Southern Rocky Mountains overlook Colorado Springs and provide residents with a playground of outdoor recreation areas. The city is near the Palmer Divide, which separates the Arkansas River Basin from the South Platte Basin, and near Manitou Springs, which is famous for the Manitou Incline and other natural features.

What is Colorado Springs Best Known For?

Aside from its location near the Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is best known for its association with the United States Olympic Team. One of the city’s more commonly used nicknames is “Olympic City, USA.”

The United States Olympic Training Center is in Colorado Springs. Several Olympic athletes also live in Colorado and take advantage of the state’s bounty of winter recreation activities. The city of Colorado Springs has strong ties to the sport of figure skating. Colorado Springs has hosted five World Figure Skating Championships and six U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

What are the Pros of Living in Colorado Springs?

Living in Colorado Springs presents an attractive array of benefits and enjoyable experiences. The most popular pros of living in Colorado Springs are the city’s affordable cost of living, endless outdoor recreation and attractions, booming job market, and sense of community. Keep reading to learn more about each of these!

Is Colorado Springs an affordable place to live?

Yes, Colorado Springs is a very affordable place to live, especially compared to expensive nearby cities such as Denver and Boulder. The average cost of living in Colorado Springs is 7.4 percent lower than the average cost of living in Denver.

In addition, housing costs in Colorado Springs are very affordable. On average, housing costs in Colorado Springs are 20.2 percent lower than housing costs in Denver. Transportation and grocery costs in Colorado Springs are also on par with the average costs of these expenses across the United States.

CITY STATE MEDIAN HOME PRICE
Colorado Springs CO $439,826
Denver  CO $561,000
Boulder  CO $488,600
Boise  ID $422,000
Austin TX $445,802

Outdoor recreation & attractions in the Springs

Colorado Springs is located near an endless stream of outdoor attractions. From pleasant hikes in Garden of the Gods Park to scenic rafting excursions on the Arkansas River, Colorado Springs supports an abundance of recreation opportunities that will please every outdoor enthusiast. Those living in Colorado Springs can:

Bike in Red Rock Canyon Open Space. Explore the summit of Pike’s Peak. Embark on a Jeep Tour of Red Canyon. Snowshoe through the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. And experience a bounty of additional outdoor attractions throughout every season of the year.

Booming job market

Ranked as the second-best place to live in the country by U.S. News, it’s no surprise Colorado Springs is supported by a healthy and promising job market. Careers in Colorado Springs are strong and diverse. Colorado Springs is home to 35 Fortune 500 companies.

Combined with several military bases and colleges, these Fortune 500 companies continue to boost the Colorado Springs job market. As this job market continues to grow and be fortified by new opportunities, unemployment in Colorado Springs has dwindled. The unemployment rate in Colorado Springs has been under 4.0% since March 2022.

Community

When it comes to community, Colorado Springs is the best of both worlds. The city is a bustling metropolitan area that supports a growing economy and all the modern conveniences of a major city. On the other hand, Colorado Springs possesses a small-town feel that brings locals together.

From hosting events and festivals to providing funding for stellar schools and housing, the city of Colorado Springs does a lot to enrich the lives of its residents.

Living in Colorado Springs: FAQs

Questions are bound to arise while exploring any city. Below we answer some of the most commonly asked questions about Colorado Springs!

Q: Is Colorado Springs a safe place to live?
A: Colorado Springs, like any major city, has safe areas and others known for possessing dangerous crime rates. If you are considering traveling to or making a permanent move to Colorado Springs, make sure to research different neighborhoods in the city.

Q: Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Denver?
A: Yes! In most areas, life in Colorado Springs is cheaper than living in Denver. When it comes to housing and utility costs, Colorado Springs is exceptionally cheap when compared to average housing and utility costs in Denver.

Q: Is Colorado Springs good for families?
A: Colorado Springs is one of the best places to live for families in the United States. The city supports an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, stellar public schools, affordable housing, and a booming job market.

Moving to Colorado Springs?

Now that you have the low down on Colorado Springs, it’s time to plan your move! If you end up moving to Colorado Springs, contact our family owned and operated Garden of the Gods Self Storage at 719-265-5900, and we can help you rent storage units in Colorado Springs. Our premium self-storage facility contains residential, business, and vehicle storage solutions!