City Comparison
Colorado Springs vs Littleton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Colorado Springs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Colorado Springs
Littleton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Littleton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Colorado Springs.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Littleton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,750 | 0% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $170 | 0% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $230 | +4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,680 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 118 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Littleton offers 4% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Colorado Springs delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Colorado Springs is estimated at
$58,000 vs $62,000 in Littleton.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Littleton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $74,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,297 idx | 62,712 idx |
| Household Income | $84,818 | $88,500 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Littleton runs warmer on average — a 52.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Littleton comes out ahead with 282 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Littleton sees 23.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Littleton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 52.60°F |
| Summer High | °F | 86.00°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 19.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 17.40 in |
| Snowfall | in | 23.70 in |
| Sunny Days | 282 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Littleton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Littleton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Littleton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 48.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Colorado Springs is the larger city
— approximately 10.8x the population of Littleton.
From a growth perspective, Colorado Springs is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Littleton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Littleton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,743 | 45,652 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | 0.50% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 42.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Colorado Springs
Advantages
Median home value remains more accessible than Denver metro counterparts per Zillow 2026 data
Unemployment rate sits at a healthy 4.1% matching competitive national benchmarks per BLS
Unmatched proximity to iconic outdoor recreation including Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
Robust local economy driven by aerospace, defense technology, and high-tech sectors
Average monthly earnings outpace national averages per recent BLS occupational wage reports
Drawbacks
High elevation and dry climate require adjustment periods for new residents
Significant car dependency across sprawling suburban neighborhoods limits transit utility
Property crime rates in certain central urban pockets remain above national medians
Rapid historical growth has strained local infrastructure and traffic capacity on I-25
Home prices and rents have escalated significantly compared to pre-2020 affordability levels
Littleton
Advantages
Historic downtown Littleton offers a vibrant cultural hub with local dining, shopping, and community events per city data.
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including Chatfield State Park and miles of regional trails.
Strong public safety profile with violent crime rates significantly below the national average per FBI uniform crime reporting.
Convenient regional transit connectivity via the RTD Light Rail D Line directly into downtown Denver.
Top-rated public school options within Littleton Public Schools and Jefferson County school districts.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has declined significantly due to rapid appreciation across the Denver metropolitan area per Zillow data.
Higher-than-average cost of living compared to the national baseline, particularly regarding housing and real estate taxes.
Traffic congestion along major commuter corridors such as Santa Fe Drive during peak hours.
Vulnerability to seasonal weather volatility, including heavy winter snowstorms and dry summer wildfire risks.
Limited inventory of affordable multi-family rental housing within the immediate historic district.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Colorado Springs
#307Colorado, USA
61.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$71,000
Cost Index
101
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.57%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
80
Business
72
Littleton
#362Colorado, USA
59.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
282/yr
Avg Temp
52.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
83
Business
75
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