Neighborhoods, real cost data, and what to expect, whether you're arriving on PCS orders or just relocating for a change of scenery.
Written by Nicholas Coleman, Director of Marketing, Johnson Storage & Moving
| Elevation | Population | Median home value | Median rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6,035 ft | ~490,000 (2nd largest city in Colorado) | ~$467,700 | ~$1,567/month | One of the most military-dense metro areas in the country |
Johnson has operated in the Colorado Springs market for decades, first through our 1983 acquisition of American Wandell Moving & Storage, one of the market's oldest moving companies, and expanded further in 2022 with the acquisition of Apaca Moving & Storage's local military moving business. We're DOD-approved, and we operate a full-service facility on Sinton Road with direct access to I-25. This guide is for the fuller picture: whether you're arriving on PCS orders or simply relocating for a job or a change of scenery, here's what you actually need to know.
Colorado Springs vs. Denver: The Real Affordability Gap
If you're weighing Colorado Springs against Denver or Boulder, the honest answer is: it's meaningfully cheaper, and housing is where that shows up most. Median home values in Colorado Springs run roughly 20% below Denver's and well under half of Boulder's, while median rent is lower too. Colorado's flat 4.4% state income tax applies the same regardless of which Front Range city you choose, so the housing gap is effectively the whole decision.
| Metric | Colorado Springs | Denver | Boulder |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | ~$467,700 | $586,700 | $982,600 |
| Median rent | ~$1,567/month | $1,770/month | $1,924/month |
| Median household income | ~$89,455/year | $91,681/year | $85,364/year |
Why the Military Presence Shapes the Entire City
Colorado Springs is one of the most military-dense metro areas in the country, and that shapes the whole local economy whether you're in uniform or not:
~125,000 People connected to Fort Carson: active duty, families, retirees, and civilian employees combined
$2B+ Fort Carson's estimated annual economic impact
$1.3B Schriever Space Force Base's estimated annual economic impact
5 Military installations in the metro: Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, USAFA, Cheyenne Mountain SFS
Sources: City of Colorado Springs (PlanCOS) and the Colorado Springs Gazette, July 2026.
That base of steady federal employment is a big part of why the local job market and housing demand have stayed resilient compared to cities that depend on one industry.
If you're arriving on PCS orders
Go straight to our Colorado Springs location page, which covers base access coordination, weight tickets, entitlements, and COI documentation for on-post housing at Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, and the Air Force Academy in detail. We're DOD-approved and have handled these moves for years.
Colorado Springs Neighborhoods Guide
| Neighborhood | Best For | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | Urban energy, walkability | Shopping, dining, and the city's most active core |
| Old Colorado City | Historic character | Former mining town turned arts-and-boutique district on Colorado Avenue |
| Broadmoor / Cheyenne Mountain | Luxury, mountain views | Anchored by The Broadmoor resort (welcoming guests since 1918); among the priciest areas in the county |
| Old North End | Historic architecture | Victorian and Craftsman homes dating to the late 1800s–early 1900s |
| Manitou Springs | Quirky, walkable, tourist-friendly | Technically its own town, not a neighborhood, mineral springs, the Penny Arcade, and the base of the Manitou Incline |
| Briargate / Rockrimmon | Families, newer construction | Northern Colorado Springs, closer to Air Force Academy and Schriever/Peterson commutes |
| Security-Widefield / Fountain | Fort Carson proximity | South of the city, popular with Fort Carson families for short commutes |
What to Do Once You've Moved to Colorado Springs
- Garden of the Gods: Free, dramatic red rock formations with Pikes Peak as a backdrop; genuinely one of the best free attractions in the state.
- Pikes Peak: Drive the highway or ride the Cog Railway to the 14,000-foot summit. Budget a full day, and expect real altitude effects at the top.
- Old Colorado City & Manitou Springs: Walkable historic districts a few minutes apart, good for a first weekend of exploring on foot.
- U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum: Downtown, and a genuinely strong museum given the city's role as home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
- Seven Falls & Cheyenne Mountain: Near the Broadmoor, good for a half-day hike or scenic outing.
- Cave of the Winds: Just past Manitou Springs, cave tours and zipline courses if you want something more active.
Three Things That Catch Newcomers Off Guard
The wind is real, and it's specific to this city. Colorado Springs sits in a high-plains wind corridor, with regular gusts and dramatic temperature swings. An afternoon that starts calm can shift fast, especially near Cheyenne Canyon and the Broadmoor foothills. Build a little slack into outdoor plans, including move day itself.
Altitude and elevation change fast within the metro. At 6,035 feet, Colorado Springs already sits higher than Denver, and parts of the city climb well beyond that. If you're arriving from sea level, give yourself real time to adjust before over-exerting on a hike.
Colorado's statewide DMV deadlines still apply here. Same as anywhere else in the state: transfer your driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency, and register any vehicles within 90 days, per the Colorado DMV.
How Johnson Makes the Colorado Springs Move Easier
We operate from our Sinton Road facility with direct I-25 access, and our footprint here goes back to the 1983 acquisition of American Wandell Moving & Storage and was expanded in 2022 with the addition of Apaca Moving & Storage's military moving business. As an Agent for United Van Lines and a DOD-approved carrier, we handle everything from a local move across town to a long-distance relocation, with full-service storage available in between. If your move involves military entitlements, base access, or a compressed PCS timeline, our military movers page and Colorado Springs location page go into detail about that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado Springs cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Median home values in Colorado Springs run roughly 20% below Denver's, and rent is lower too, while Colorado's flat 4.4% state income tax applies equally in both cities.
What is Colorado Springs known for economically?
Colorado Springs is one of the most military-dense metro areas in the U.S., home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, with defense and aerospace activity forming a substantial share of the regional economy.
What's a good Colorado Springs neighborhood for military families?
Areas like Security-Widefield and Fountain are popular for their proximity to Fort Carson, while Briargate and Rockrimmon are closer to the Air Force Academy, Peterson, and Schriever.
Does Johnson Storage & Moving handle military PCS moves in Colorado Springs?
Yes, Johnson is DOD-approved and has handled PCS moves in Colorado Springs for years, including base access coordination and COI documentation for on-post housing.
How long do I have to get a Colorado driver's license after moving to Colorado Springs?
The same statewide rule applies: transfer your out-of-state license within 30 days of establishing residency, and register vehicles within 90 days.
Ready to plan your Colorado Springs move? Request an In-Home or Virtual Survey →
Sources
| Claim | Source | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Carson population, economic impact | City of Colorado Springs (PlanCOS) | coloradosprings.gov |
| Schriever economic impact, defense share of economy | Colorado Springs Gazette | gazette.com |
| Cost-of-living figures | U.S. News / Census ACS | realestate.usnews.com |
| DMV deadlines | Colorado DMV | dmv.colorado.gov |
| 1983 American Wandell acquisition | Johnson's own press release | johnsonstorage.com |
