City Comparison

Abilene vs Colorado Springs

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Abilene

Texas
80
Very Affordable
$179,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$62,600
Median Income

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

The Verdict

23.8%

Living in Abilene costs 23.8% less than Colorado Springs. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Abilene, you would need $98,438 in Colorado Springs.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
58
Abilene
115
Colorado Springs
Groceries
91
Abilene
100
Colorado Springs
Utilities
97
Abilene
93
Colorado Springs
Transportation
89
Abilene
101
Colorado Springs
Healthcare
96
Abilene
104
Colorado Springs

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $98,438 in Colorado Springs.

Conversely, $75,000 in Colorado Springs equals $57,143 in Abilene.

Living in Abilene vs Colorado Springs

Housing Costs

Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Colorado Springs's 115, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $380,000. The $201,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,068 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs, a monthly difference of $550.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 100 in Colorado Springs. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $475/month in Colorado Springs. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 93 in Colorado Springs. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $372 in Colorado Springs. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 104 in Colorado Springs. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $64,712 in Colorado Springs. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $61,630 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,510/month in Colorado Springs. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Abilene is 23.8% more affordable overall with an index of 80 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $98,438 in Colorado Springs, based on the cost of living difference.
Abilene's housing index is 58 with median homes at $179,000, while Colorado Springs's is 115 with median homes at $380,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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