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Colorado Springs, Colorado Retirement Guide
Retirement Score
Colorado Springs, Colorado at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $455,200
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for seniors; limited pension deduction.
- Avg January Low
- 17.4°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 99.6 (US avg = 100)
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 37 / 100
Overview
"Colorado Springs is a Front Range retirement destination at 6,000 feet elevation with median home prices around $475,000 and a cost of living roughly 5% above the national average. Colorado's flat 4.4% state income tax applies, but retirees age 65+ can exclude up to $24,000 in retirement income. UCHealth Memorial Hospital and Penrose-St. Francis anchor local care. The metro is known for Pikes Peak, the Air Force Academy, military retirement community, and a more affordable Colorado Front Range alternative to Denver and Boulder."
Colorado Springs sits at the foot of Pikes Peak in El Paso County, about 70 miles south of Denver. The metro has a distinct military identity (the Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, NORAD), which has produced one of the largest concentrations of military retirees in the United States. The senior population is around 14% age 65+, with strong retiree concentrations in Briargate, Rockrimmon, and the southwestern foothills.
The financial picture is friendlier than Boulder or Denver. Colorado's flat 4.4% income tax with the $24,000 retirement-income exclusion (per person, 65+) and full Social Security exemption combine with property tax rates around 0.5% — among the lowest in the country. Median home prices around $475,000 are roughly 45% lower than Boulder's, making Colorado Springs the value play in the Colorado Front Range retirement market.
Healthcare is anchored by UCHealth Memorial Hospital (a Level I trauma center) and Penrose-St. Francis Health Services. Specialist depth is good for a metro of its size, with excellent military-retiree-specific TRICARE access. Medicare Advantage plan availability is solid.
The climate is high-elevation four-season — January low ~17°F, July high ~85°F, abundant sunshine, low humidity. Colorado Springs is best for retirees who want Colorado's outdoor access and tax advantages at a more affordable price point than Boulder or Denver, and especially for military retirees who can leverage TRICARE and Air Force Academy proximity.
Cost of Living
Affordability Metrics
Colorado Springs's cost of living is 0.4000000000000057% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.
Housing
Real Estate & Housing
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Colorado Springs using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$986
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$1,108
Median home price used: $455,200
Median rent reference: $1,537 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Budget validation
Calculate if your savings last in this city
Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Colorado Springs, Colorado after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.
Open the RetireFree Calculator →Active-adult community search
Compare 55+ communities near Colorado Springs
If Colorado Springs fits your retirement-city shortlist, the next step is checking active-adult and 55+ community inventory around the Front Range before you commit to a neighborhood.
View 55+ Communities near Colorado Springs →Healthcare
Access & Quality
Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Colorado Springs scores 17.2 out of 100 for healthcare access.
Care planning link
Find local assisted living in Colorado Springs
If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.
Assisted living in Colorado Springs →Taxes
State Tax Climate
Colorado has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.
Climate
Weather & Environment
With 334 sunny days a year and an average January low of 17.4°F, Colorado Springs offers a traditional winter climate.
Safety & Walkability
Community Safety
Walkability
Demographics
Population Profile
Diversity Breakdown
Frequently asked questions about retiring in Colorado Springs
Is Colorado Springs, Colorado a good place to retire in 2026?▾
Colorado Springs is a Front Range retirement destination at 6,000 feet elevation with median home prices around $475,000 and a cost of living roughly 5% above the national average. Colorado's flat 4.4% state income tax applies, but retirees age 65+ can exclude up to $24,000 in retirement income. UCHealth Memorial Hospital and Penrose-St. Francis anchor local care. The metro is known for Pikes Peak, the Air Force Academy, military retirement community, and a more affordable Colorado Front Range alternative to Denver and Boulder.
What is the cost of living in Colorado Springs, Colorado for retirees?▾
The cost-of-living index is 100, roughly 0% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $455,200.
Does Colorado tax Social Security or retirement income?▾
For Colorado residents: State income tax; Social Security partially exempt for seniors; limited pension deduction.
What is the climate like in Colorado Springs, Colorado?▾
Colorado Springs, Colorado has January average low around 17°F, July average high around 86°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
What is healthcare access like in Colorado Springs, Colorado?▾
Colorado Springs scores 17/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).
How much does it cost to retire in Colorado Springs, Colorado?▾
For a retired couple in a paid-off home, total monthly costs in Colorado Springs run roughly $3,486 based on the cost-of-living index of 100. This includes property taxes, utilities, healthcare premiums, groceries, transportation, and discretionary spending. Renters add roughly $1,200–$1,800/month for a 2-bedroom.
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
CASCADE INVESTMENT GROUP, INC.
RAMSAY STATTMAN VELA & PRICE INC
CORUNDUM GROUP, INC.
+92 more financial advisors available