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City comparison

New York, NY vs Colorado Springs, CO

The cost gap between New York and Colorado Springs is the real story here. Colorado Springs comes in 40% cheaper on typical rent ($2,910 vs $1,735), which over a year adds up to $14,100. Median household income runs $76,607 in New York and $79,026 in Colorado Springs.

This is a genuine split. New York wins on safety and Colorado Springs wins on cost of living and the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Colorado Springs at $1,735 average has pockets that run $1,535 and others at $2,135: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full New York reportFull Colorado Springs report

New York, NY

Rent
2,910/mo
Median income
76,607
Crime index
153
Schools
A-
Weather
71°F

Colorado Springs, CO

Rent
1,735/mo
Median income
79,026
Crime index
186
Schools
A-
Weather
76°F

Rent

40% cheaper

Colorado Springs rent is 40% cheaper than New York

New York

$2,910/mo

Colorado Springs

Winner

$1,735/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,735 a month in Colorado Springs versus $2,910 in New York, so Colorado Springs is 40% cheaper. That's roughly $1,175/month back in your pocket ($14,100/year). Over five years that's $70,500 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in New York, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Colorado Springs is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Planning to buy in Colorado Springs? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

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Median income

3% higher

Colorado Springs's median income is 3% higher than New York

New York

$76,607

Colorado Springs

Winner

$79,026

What this means for your life

Median household income is $79,026 in Colorado Springs versus $76,607 in New York, so typical pay runs 3% higher in Colorado Springs (about $2,419 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

18% lower crime

New York's crime index is 18% lower than Colorado Springs

New York

Winner

153 (100 = avg)

Colorado Springs

186 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

New York's crime index is 153 versus 186 in Colorado Springs (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 18% lower in New York. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, New York is the easier city. Colorado Springs can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

New York and Colorado Springs are about even on school scores.

New York

A- · 84/100

Colorado Springs

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in New York, A- in Colorado Springs). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

Neck and neck

New York and Colorado Springs are about even on typical weather.

New York

71°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

Colorado Springs

76°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

New York averages about 71°F (77°F highs); Colorado Springs averages about 76°F (86°F highs). New York sits near 71°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Colorado Springs sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.

Fit check

Who should choose New York

Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy

New York is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 18% lower than Colorado Springs (153 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the New York report →

Fit check

Who should choose Colorado Springs

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Colorado Springs is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 40% cheaper here at about $1,735 a month. Choose Colorado Springs if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Colorado Springs is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 3% higher here ($79,026). Start with Colorado Springs if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Colorado Springs report →

Bottom line

New York vs Colorado Springs: Our Take

Colorado Springs wins overall, but the margin is thinner than the category headlines suggest (2 wins to 1).

Colorado Springs's typical rent runs 40% lower than New York ($1,735/month vs $2,910/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: New York posts a 18% lower crime index (153 vs 186, where 100 is the national average).

The decision comes down to whether you value cost of living more than safety. For most middle-income movers, Colorado Springs is the stronger choice.

Common questions

New York vs Colorado Springs FAQ

Is New York cheaper than Colorado Springs?
No. Colorado Springs is cheaper: typical rent is $1,735 a month versus $2,910 in New York (40% lower). Median household income is $76,607 in New York compared with $79,026 in Colorado Springs, so Colorado Springs has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, New York or Colorado Springs?
New York is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 153 versus 186 in Colorado Springs (18% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, New York or Colorado Springs?
School composites are close: A- in New York and A- in Colorado Springs. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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