City Comparison
Colorado Springs vs Longmont
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Longmont scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Colorado Springs
Longmont
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Colorado Springs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Longmont.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Longmont | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,850 | -5% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,780 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Longmont offers 1% 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 Longmont.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $62,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,297 idx | 68,571 idx |
| Household Income | $84,818 | $90,671 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Longmont runs warmer on average — a 50.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Longmont comes out ahead with 278 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Longmont sees 29.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 50.60°F |
| Summer High | °F | 84.70°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 18.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 20.90 in |
| Snowfall | in | 29.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 278 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 55.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Longmont scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Longmont leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 58.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Colorado Springs is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Longmont.
From a growth perspective, Longmont is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,743 | 100,109 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | 1.10% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.10% |
| 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
Longmont
Advantages
Median home prices and rent values remain noticeably more affordable than in nearby Boulder per regional housing data.
Extensive citywide gigabit broadband infrastructure (NextLight) supports robust remote work and tech enterprise.
Proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides world-class outdoor recreation within a 50-minute drive.
High concentration of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare jobs bolstering career opportunities.
Top-tier local education via the St. Vrain Valley School District with exceptional graduation rates.
Drawbacks
Housing costs run roughly 5% to 10% above the national average, placing pressure on lower-income households.
Rental vacancy rates remain tight, impacting immediate housing availability for newcomers.
Car dependency is relatively high for daily errands outside of the immediate downtown core.
Occasional heavy winter snowstorms and variable Front Range weather require proactive commuting precautions.
Modest traffic bottlenecks during peak commuting hours along primary corridors connecting to Boulder and Denver.
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
Longmont
#217Colorado, USA
63.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
278/yr
Avg Temp
50.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
78
Business
75
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