City Comparison
Colorado Springs vs Pueblo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Colorado Springs scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Colorado Springs
Pueblo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pueblo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Colorado Springs.
Housing costs are a major driver: Colorado Springs's average rent is
31% higher than Pueblo's.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Pueblo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,339 | +31% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,710 | $2,259 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 92 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Colorado Springs offers 22% 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 $52,000 in Pueblo.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $71,000 | $58,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,297 idx | 63,043 idx |
| Household Income | $84,818 | $56,664 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pueblo runs warmer on average — a 56.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pueblo comes out ahead with 313 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pueblo sees 16.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 56.50°F |
| Summer High | °F | 89.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 22.40°F |
| Rainfall | in | 10.80 in |
| Snowfall | in | 16.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 313 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 45.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Colorado Springs has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Pueblo.
Pueblo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pueblo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Colorado Springs is the larger city
— approximately 4.5x the population of Pueblo.
From a growth perspective, Colorado Springs 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 | Pueblo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 494,743 | 110,404 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.57% | — |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 38.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 6.60% |
| 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
Pueblo
Advantages
Overall cost of living runs approximately 8% below the national average, making it Colorado's most affordable urban center.
Enjoyable climate featuring roughly 313 sunny days per year and mild winter variations.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Lake Pueblo State Park for boating, fishing, and hiking.
Rich cultural identity highlighted by local traditions, historic architecture, and the famous annual Chile & Frijoles Festival.
Significantly more accessible housing market with median home values well below state and national norms.
Drawbacks
Property crime rates and overall crime indices remain higher than the national median.
Local average wages and median household incomes trail significantly behind state and national benchmarks.
Economic mobility and job diversification are more limited compared to northern Colorado tech centers.
Summer high temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring robust air conditioning and heat management.
Public transportation options are relatively limited, necessitating regular reliance on personal vehicle ownership.
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
Pueblo
#559Colorado, USA
47.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,339
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
313/yr
Avg Temp
56.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.60%
Livability
72
Business
65
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