Colorado Springs vs Salem

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $74,286 in Salem.

Conversely, $75,000 in Salem equals $75,721 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Salem

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is lower Salem's 118, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $400,000. The $20,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,296 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,275/mo in Salem, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 100 in Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs vs $475/month in Salem. 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 97 in Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $388 in Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs and 100 in Salem. 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 $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $66,400 in Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 and $63,846 respectively. Salem 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 $1,549/month in Salem. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/mo fits within this budget. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 5 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases