City Comparison
Colorado Springs vs Loveland
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Loveland scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Colorado Springs
Loveland
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Loveland is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Colorado Springs.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Loveland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,700 | +3% |
| Groceries | $420 | $420 | 0% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $115 | +13% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $240 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,655 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 102 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Colorado Springs offers 4% higher 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 $58,000 in Loveland.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $68,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,297 idx | 66,667 idx |
| Household Income | $84,818 | $84,604 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Loveland runs warmer on average — a 51°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Loveland comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Loveland sees 27.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 51.00°F |
| Summer High | °F | 83.80°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 17.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 17.20 in |
| Snowfall | in | 27.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 52.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Loveland scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Loveland leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 42.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Colorado Springs is the larger city
— approximately 6.1x the population of Loveland.
From a growth perspective, Loveland is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Loveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,743 | 81,387 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | 1.42% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 40.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| 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
Loveland
Advantages
Median home sale prices in Loveland sit roughly $100,000 below neighboring Larimer County peaks, offering better relative value per square foot.
Abundant access to public art, highlighted by the world-famous Benson Sculpture Garden and cultural events.
Proximity to premier outdoor destinations including Boyd Lake State Park and Rocky Mountain National Park.
A revitalized downtown district anchored by The Foundry, featuring local dining, craft breweries, and entertainment.
Strong local job growth across manufacturing, healthcare, and trade sectors supported by the I-25 corridor economy.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has tightened significantly following rapid regional appreciation over recent years.
High car dependency limits practical car-free commuting and public transit utility outside peak corridors.
Winter weather brings occasional heavy snowfall and sub-freezing temperatures requiring winterized infrastructure.
Proximity to major metropolitan job centers can result in heavy commuter traffic during peak hours along I-25.
Limited high-end nightlife or late-night entertainment options compared to larger urban centers like 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
Loveland
#183Colorado, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,700
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
51.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.42%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
77
Business
72
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