Quick answer
Tempe costs $20/month less overall ($1,990 vs $2,010/mo). Tempe also has lower state income tax (2.5% vs 4.4%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs Tempe
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 Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 ✓ | $1,850 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 ✓ | $1,850 |
| Median Home Price | $465K ✓ | $520K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 ✓ | $210 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $330 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,990 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 | 71/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 58/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 2.5% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Tempe's 1BR averages $1,450/month vs $1,450 in Colorado Springs — a $0/month difference, or $0/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Tempe charges 2.5% state income tax vs 4.4% in Colorado Springs. On an $80K salary that's a $1,520/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,280 vs $3,000 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Colorado Springs are $465K vs $520K in Tempe. At a 20% down payment, that's a $11,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Tempe utilities run $45 more per month than Colorado Springs.
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
Tempe, AZ
Tempe'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
Tempe
Hot and dry: 100-120°F June-August, 55-70°F Nov-Feb. Virtually no rain. Intense sun, low humidity, clear skies year-round.
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
Tempe 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 Tempe if…
- →You're a Tech workers wanting California-quality jobs with 40% cheaper housing
- →You're a Students and recent graduates (ASU ecosystem)
- →You're a Remote workers who can handle extreme heat
- →You're a Anyone wanting low taxes, walkability, and affordable homeownership
- →You want to live without a car
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Tempe cheaper to live in?
Tempe is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,990 in Tempe vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $20/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Tempe?
Tempe is more walkable with a Walk Score of 71/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Tempe: which has lower state income tax?
Tempe has lower state income tax (2.5%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,520/year vs Colorado Springs (4.4%).
Is Colorado Springs or Tempe better for buying a home?
Colorado Springs has lower median home prices at $465K vs $520K in Tempe — a $55,000 difference on the median home.