City comparison
No. Colorado Springs's crime index is 200 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 204 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Colorado Springs is cheaper. Median rent is $1,648 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
The income gap between Washington and Colorado Springs is significant: $109,870 median household versus $84,818. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,648 in Colorado Springs.
This is a genuine split. Washington wins on the job market and Colorado Springs wins on cost of living and safety. 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 $1,648 average has pockets that run $1,448 and others at $2,048: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Washington and Colorado Springs are 1,489 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,648 a month in Colorado Springs, down $306 a month (16%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $84,818 in Colorado Springs, down $25,052 (23%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 200 in Colorado Springs, down 23 points (10%).
The move
Colorado Springs and Washington are 1,489 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,648 a month in Colorado Springs to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $306 a month (19%).
Median household income goes from $84,818 in Colorado Springs to $109,870 in Washington, up $25,052 (30%).
The crime index goes from 200 in Colorado Springs to 223 in Washington, up 23 points (12%).
Washington, DC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Colorado Springs, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Washington and Colorado Springs? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
16% cheaper
Colorado Springs rent is 16% cheaper than Washington
Washington
$1,954/mo
Colorado Springs
Winner$1,648/mo
Typical rent runs $1,648 a month in Colorado Springs versus $1,954 in Washington, so Colorado Springs is 16% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,672, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Colorado Springs still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Washington.
Planning to buy in Colorado Springs? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
30% higher
Washington's median income is 30% higher than Colorado Springs
Washington
Winner$109,870
Colorado Springs
$84,818
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $84,818 in Colorado Springs, so typical pay runs 30% higher in Washington (about $25,052 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Washington is the stronger labor market on paper. Colorado Springs can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
10% lower crime
Colorado Springs's crime index is 10% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Colorado Springs
Winner200 (100 = avg)
Colorado Springs's crime index is 200 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 10% lower in Colorado Springs. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Colorado Springs, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Washington. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Washington and Colorado Springs are about even on typical weather.
Washington
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Colorado Springs
55°F avg · 63°F highs · comfort 72/100
Washington averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Colorado Springs averages about 55°F (63°F highs). Washington averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Colorado Springs averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 30% higher here ($109,870). Start with Washington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Colorado Springs is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 16% cheaper here at about $1,648 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 fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 10% lower than Washington (200 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.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,648/month in Colorado Springs versus $1,954 in Washington. Median income reads $84,818 in Colorado Springs and $109,870 in Washington, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Colorado Springs rent at $1,648/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 36/100 in Washington and 39/100 in Colorado Springs.
Pick Colorado Springs when shaving $306 off rent at $1,648/month is the priority. Otherwise, Washington's case rests on $1,954/month rent with $109,870 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
Quotes and listings for Colorado Springs when you're ready to act.
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and Colorado Springs, plus other cities in DC and CO.
