City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

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

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

The Verdict

29.6%

Living in Roanoke costs 29.6% less than Colorado Springs. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs, you would need $57,857 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
57
Roanoke
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
97
Roanoke
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
116
Roanoke
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $57,857 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $97,222 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $225,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,075/mo in Roanoke, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $464 in Roanoke. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs and 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 and $65,062 respectively. Roanoke 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 $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 29.6% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,857 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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