City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

23.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 23.5%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to $60,714 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
66
Johnson City
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
95
Johnson City
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
95
Johnson City
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $60,714 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $92,647 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $276,000. The $104,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs vs $451/month in Johnson City. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Colorado Springs and 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 and $65,176 respectively. Johnson City residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 23.5% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,714 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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