Quick answer
Plano costs $145/month less overall ($1,865 vs $2,010/mo). Plano also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.4%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs Plano
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 Plano at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,750 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,750 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $465K ✓ | $475K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 | $155 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $310 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,865 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 58/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 28/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | None ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Plano's 1BR averages $1,400/month vs $1,450 in Colorado Springs — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Plano charges None state income tax vs 4.4% in Colorado Springs. On an $80K salary that's a $3,520/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,280 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Colorado Springs are $465K vs $475K in Plano. At a 20% down payment, that's a $2,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Colorado Springs utilities run $10 more per month than Plano. 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
Plano, TX
Plano is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
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
Plano
Hot, humid subtropical. Summers (June-September) reach 95-98°F with 60-70% humidity. Winters are mild (50-65°F). Occasional ice storms; severe thunderstorms and tornado risk May-June.
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
Plano 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
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Plano if…
- →You're a Tech workers
- →You're a Corporate professionals
- →You're a Families seeking suburbs
- →You're a People avoiding state income tax
- →You want zero state income tax
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Plano cheaper to live in?
Plano is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,865 in Plano vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $145/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Plano?
Plano is more walkable with a Walk Score of 58/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Plano: which has lower state income tax?
Plano has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,520/year vs Colorado Springs (4.4%).
Is Colorado Springs or Plano better for buying a home?
Colorado Springs has lower median home prices at $465K vs $475K in Plano — a $10,000 difference on the median home.