Colorado Springs
Colorado
Pop. 479,612
VS
Fort Collins
Colorado
Pop. 168,758

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

66
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
62
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Colorado Springs wins 2–1
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Colorado Springs wins 2–1 overall (66/100)
💰 Colorado Springs is more affordable
💼 Fort Collins has lower unemployment
🛡️ Colorado Springs has fewer disasters

📋 Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins — The Verdict

Colorado Springs scores 66/100 compared to Fort Collins's 62/100, winning 2 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Colorado Springs has a clear edge with home prices 23% lower. Colorado Springs may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Colorado Springs are 23% lower — a difference of $114,400 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Colorado Springs saves you $112/month — that's $1,344 per year.
🌬️
Colorado Springs has cleaner air with an AQI 13 points lower — particularly important for people with respiratory conditions.
🛡️
Colorado Springs has experienced 3 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins: Cost of Living Comparison
50
vs
50
Median Home Value
$383,000
$497,400
Median Rent /mo
$1,464
$1,576
Median Income
$79,026
$78,977
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Colorado Springs offers home prices 23% lower than Fort Collins, translating to $114,400 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins: Job Market & Salaries
70
vs
70
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
3.8%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins: Weather & Climate
50
vs
40
Summer High
°F
8.4°F
Winter Low
°F
1.9°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
0.2"
Annual Snow
"
-72.1"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins: Air Quality & Environment
90
vs
70
Air Quality (AQI)
48 Good
61 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Colorado Springs vs Fort Collins: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
11
14
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Low
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins: Common Questions

Is Colorado Springs or Fort Collins cheaper to live in?
Colorado Springs is more affordable overall. Home prices are $114,400 lower in Colorado Springs. Monthly rent is $1,464 in Colorado Springs vs $1,576 in Fort Collins.
Does Colorado Springs or Fort Collins have better weather?
Colorado Springs scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 40/100).
Is Colorado Springs or Fort Collins better for finding a job?
Fort Collins currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 3.8% in Colorado Springs vs 3.8% in Fort Collins. Median household income is $79,026 in Colorado Springs and $78,977 in Fort Collins.
Which city is safer — Colorado Springs or Fort Collins?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Colorado Springs is safer. Colorado Springs has had 11 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 14 in Fort Collins. Colorado Springs scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Fort Collins.
Should I move from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins?
Based on our data, Colorado Springs scores 66.0/100 vs Fort Collins's 62.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Fort Collins is more affordable, while Colorado Springs has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.