Quick answer
Virginia Beach costs $55/month less overall ($1,955 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 $1,080/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Colorado Springs vs Virginia Beach
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 Virginia Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Virginia Beach |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,450 | $1,750 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,800 | $1,750 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $465K | $340K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 ✓ | $175 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $395 | $380 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,010 | $1,955 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 36/100 ✓ | 36/100 |
| Transit Score | 24/100 | 25/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% ✓ | 5.75% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Virginia Beach'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: Colorado Springs charges 4.4% state income tax vs 5.75% in Virginia Beach. On an $80K salary that's a $1,080/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,900 vs $5,280 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Virginia Beach are $340K vs $465K in Colorado Springs. At a 20% down payment, that's a $25,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Virginia Beach utilities run $10 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
Virginia Beach, VA
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Virginia Beach. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
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
Virginia Beach
Mild summers (78–87°F); cool winters (40–55°F) with occasional snow; spring and fall are pleasant; hurricane season (August–October) brings flooding and coastal surge
Job Market
Colorado Springs top industries
Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach if…
- →You're a military families
- →You're a aerospace / naval engineers
- →You're a people seeking affordable coastal living
- →You're a families focused on stability over nightlife
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs or Virginia Beach cheaper to live in?
Virginia Beach is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,955 in Virginia Beach vs $2,010 in Colorado Springs — a $55/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Colorado Springs or Virginia Beach?
Virginia Beach is more walkable with a Walk Score of 36/100 vs 36/100. Colorado Springs is more car-dependent.
Colorado Springs vs Virginia Beach: which has lower state income tax?
Colorado Springs has lower state income tax (4.4%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,080/year vs Virginia Beach (5.75%).
Is Colorado Springs or Virginia Beach better for buying a home?
Virginia Beach has lower median home prices at $340K vs $465K in Colorado Springs — a $125,000 difference on the median home.