Quick answer
Durham costs $205/month less overall ($1,805 vs $2,010/mo). But Colorado Springs's 4.4% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $280/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs Durham
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Colorado Springs vs Durham at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Durham |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,650 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,650 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $465K | $425K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $135 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $320 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,805 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 64/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 38/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 4.75% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Durham's 1BR averages $1,350/month vs $1,450 in Colorado Springs — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Colorado Springs charges 4.4% state income tax vs 4.75% in Durham. On an $80K salary that's a $280/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,700 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Durham are $425K vs $465K in Colorado Springs. At a 20% down payment, that's a $8,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $30 more per month than Durham. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Colorado Springs, CO
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Colorado Springs. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Durham, NC
Durham's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Colorado Springs
High altitude (6,000 ft) creates cooler summers (75-85°F) and cold, snowy winters (10-25 inches annual snowfall); 300+ sunny days per year; dry desert-like conditions most of year; wildfire risk in surrounding forests; thin air at altitude requires acclimatization
Durham
Humid subtropical with hot, humid summers (85-90°F) and mild winters (45-55°F). Approximately 100 humid days annually; moderate precipitation year-round.
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
Durham top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Colorado Springs if…
- →You're a Military families
- →You're a Outdoor enthusiasts / climbers
- →You're a Aerospace professionals
- →You're a People seeking altitude and outdoor access
Move to Durham if…
- →You're a Biotech & pharma professionals
- →You're a Life sciences researchers
- →You're a Academics
- →You're a Young professionals seeking affordable big-city vibe
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Durham cheaper to live in?
Durham is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,805 in Durham vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $205/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Durham?
Durham is more walkable with a Walk Score of 64/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Durham: which has lower state income tax?
Colorado Springs has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $280/year vs Durham (4.75%).
Is Colorado Springs or Durham better for buying a home?
Durham has lower median home prices at $425K vs $465K in Colorado Springs — a $40,000 difference on the median home.