Moving to Colorado Springs: The Ultimate Relocation Guide
Some cities you move to. Others you take flight toward. Colorado Springs, tucked at the foot of Pikes Peak with the Rocky Mountains as a daily backdrop, firmly belongs in the second category.
Whether a job opportunity brought you here, you're chasing a better cost of living than Denver, or you simply want more mountain and less monotony in your everyday life, the Springs is a city with momentum. According to a March 2026 report from Colorado Public Radio, downtown Colorado Springs nearly doubled its residential population in a single year, from 2,574 residents in 2024 to 4,860 in 2025. More than 700 new apartment units opened in the downtown core alone. People are landing here. And staying.
This relocation guide gives you the real-world intel you need, neighborhoods, cost of living, the job market, lifestyle, and how to choose where to live, so you can hit the ground running when you arrive.
Why People Are Moving to Colorado Springs Right Now
Colorado Springs has a reputation that's earned, not manufactured. It's Colorado's second-largest city, yet it still manages to feel grounded, less frantic than Denver, more connected to the natural world, and increasingly vibrant as investment pours into its downtown core.
Here's what's drawing people in:
- Outdoor access unlike anywhere else. Garden of the Gods. Pikes Peak. Red Rock Canyon. Palmer Park. These aren't day-trip destinations, they're your backyard.
- A cost of living that makes sense. Colorado Springs runs roughly 2% above the national average, but significantly more affordable than Denver, Boulder, or Fort Collins.
- A downtown renaissance. The Downtown Colorado Springs Partnership reports nearly 19 million downtown visits in 2025, with 37 new businesses opening, 20 of them restaurants, bars, or entertainment venues.
- Sunshine. Lots of it. Colorado Springs averages over 300 sunny days per year, making it one of the sunniest cities in the country.
- Military and aerospace heritage. Home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, the Air Force Academy, and NORAD, the city has a deep professional ecosystem in defense, aerospace, and technology.
What Does It Cost to Live in Colorado Springs?
Before any move, the budget conversation has to happen. The good news: Colorado Springs is one of the more approachable cities in Colorado for renters and newcomers alike.
According to the Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, here's how key spending categories stack up:
- Average apartment rent: $1,799/month
- Utilities: 20.7% below the national average
- Transportation: 0.7% below the national average
- Healthcare: 3.9% below the national average
- Housing: About 2.4% above the national average
- Average monthly spending for renters: $5,007
The takeaway: you'll pay a bit more for housing than the U.S. median, but save meaningfully on utilities, transportation, and healthcare, categories that quietly add up in everyday life. For luxury renters, downtown Colorado Springs also saw a modest dip in rents in 2025 as new apartment supply increased. Right now is an especially compelling window to secure a high-end unit at a competitive rate.
The Colorado Springs Job Market: What to Expect
Colorado Springs has a resilient, diversified economy anchored by several powerful sectors. The latest Colorado Springs Area Economic Summary from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (updated February 2026). The fastest-growing sectors include:
- Education & Health Services: +7% year-over-year, the fastest-growing sector in the metro
- Government & Military: 55,000 jobs, a bedrock of local economic stability
The average hourly wage across all occupations is $33.21, slightly above the national average of $32.66. If you're in a professional, technical, or healthcare role, Colorado Springs competes well.
Remote workers will also find the city particularly well-suited. With a growing inventory of co-working spaces, strong internet infrastructure, and a downtown that hums with activity even on weekdays, the Springs has matured into a legitimate remote-work destination.
Colorado Springs Neighborhoods: Finding Your Fit
Colorado Springs spans nearly 200 square miles, so where you plant yourself matters, a lot. Here's a quick orientation to the city's main areas:
Downtown Colorado Springs
The city's fastest-evolving neighborhood. Walkable, dense, and energized, downtown is the choice for those who want to be steps from restaurants, culture, and nightlife. The downtown Colorado Springs neighborhood has seen explosive growth, with new apartment buildings, boutique dining, live music, and world-class attractions like the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum all within easy reach.
Old Colorado City
The artsy, historic corridor just west of downtown. Known for galleries, independent shops, and Victorian architecture, Old Colorado City draws creatives and outdoor enthusiasts alike; it borders Garden of the Gods directly.
Briargate & North Colorado Springs
A newer, more suburban stretch with strong retail infrastructure and easy access to the Air Force Academy. Popular with those who prioritize quiet streets and extra space.
Manitou Springs
A quirky, bohemian enclave just west of the city limits. Beloved for its mineral springs, walkable main street, and direct trail access up Pikes Peak via the Barr Trail. It has an unmistakable personality and a strong arts scene.
Broadmoor & Southwest Springs
Upscale and scenic, this area surrounds the legendary Broadmoor resort and offers some of the most dramatic views in the city. Immediate access to Cheyenne Canyon makes it popular with serious hikers and climbers.
What Is Daily Life Like in Colorado Springs?
Numbers tell part of the story. The rest is texture and Colorado Springs has a lot worth noting.
Outdoor Recreation
This is the undeniable draw. Hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, rock climbing, trail running, and skiing (Breckenridge and Vail are roughly two hours away) are all central to the local identity. Garden of the Gods alone offers 15+ miles of maintained trails. CityROCK downtown is a popular climbing gym for those who train year-round.
Arts, Culture & Dining
Colorado Springs punches above its weight culturally. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, and The Carter Payne are downtown anchors. The local food and brewery scene has expanded meaningfully, spots like Shuga's, The Rabbit Hole, and District Elleven have earned regional acclaim.
Weather & Altitude
Think 300+ sunny days, mild summers (highs typically in the low-to-mid 80s), and snowy winters with fast melt cycles thanks to the elevation and abundant Colorado sun. The altitude, 6,035 feet, is real. Give yourself one to two weeks to acclimate before jumping into intense physical activity.
Community Feel
Colorado Springs has genuine civic identity. The military community lends it a grounded, service-oriented character. The outdoor culture creates instant common ground between neighbors. Farmers markets run spring through fall, and 37 new businesses opened downtown in 2025 alone, a city actively becoming more of itself.
Downtown vs. Suburbs: Where Should You Live?
For renters, the most consequential decision is often this one: do you want the energy of downtown, or the space of the suburbs?
If you value walkability, dining within steps of your door, a vibrant social scene, shorter commutes, and living at the center of a city finding its stride, downtown is the clear answer. The growth happening there right now is the kind that typically doesn't last: rents slightly down, brand-new buildings opening, and a neighborhood building real momentum.
Luxury renters in particular will find downtown compelling. New developments have raised the bar for finishes, amenities, and views. When you factor in money saved on a gym membership, entertainment, and a second car, the premium for a downtown luxury unit often makes strong financial sense. Read our deep dive on why downtown's newest luxury apartments are worth the investment for a full breakdown.
Bringing pets? Downtown is increasingly well-suited for animal companions. Many newer communities include on-site bark parks and grooming stations. Our complete guide to pet-friendly luxury living at Avian covers everything from breed policies to nearby trail access.
Your Colorado Springs Moving Checklist
Once you've made the call, the logistics take over. Here's what to prioritize:
- Research neighborhoods and visit in person before signing any lease
- Secure your apartment early, downtown units in new luxury buildings move quickly
- Update your driver's license and vehicle registration within 30 days of establishing Colorado residency
- Complete Colorado emissions testing if applicable to your vehicle
- Find a primary care physician and dentist before you need one
- Plan for altitude: drink extra water and ease into intense exercise for the first one to two weeks
- Set up utilities, internet, and renters insurance before move-in day
- Explore the city in your first month, downtown, Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods, and Old Colorado City all deserve dedicated time
Still Deciding on Apartment Size?
Our one-bedroom vs. two-bedroom guide walks through the cost, space, and lifestyle tradeoffs in detail. You can also browse our studio, one-, and two-bedroom floor plans to see exactly what's available at Avian.
Why Avian Is the Right Home Base for Your Colorado Springs Chapter
You've done the research. You've weighed the neighborhoods. Now you want a place that lives up to the decision.
Avian Apartments sits in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, exactly where the city's energy is concentrating. Designed with the spirit of flight in mind, Avian Apartments is elevated in every sense: panoramic Pikes Peak views from the rooftop Sky Deck, a resort-style pool, dedicated yoga studio, on-site Paw Spa, conference rooms, and a Bark Park for your four-legged co-pilot. The resort-style amenities at Avian were built for people who came here to live above the ordinary.
Studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms are available, each featuring modern finishes, in-unit washer and dryer, and the light Colorado is known for. This is your landing pad for everything the city has to offer.
Your Colorado Springs Chapter Starts Here
Ready to see Avian Apartments in person? Our leasing team is here to walk you through available floor plans, answer your relocation questions, and help you find your perfect fit in the heart of downtown Colorado Springs, Schedule a Tour Today.
