True Cost of Renting in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs hosts five major military installations — Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, Schriever SFB, Cheyenne Mountain SFS, and the US Air Force Academy — making it one of the most military-dense metros in the country. Military BAH rates anchor the rental market, and the combination of government employment stability, lower cost of living than Denver, and access to outdoor recreation drives strong demand from both military and civilian renters.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Downtown Colorado Springs

Studio:
$1,100/mo
1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$1,900/mo

Revitalized urban core on Tejon Street; independent restaurants, breweries, and proximity to America the Beautiful Park. Mix of historic loft conversions and new apartment buildings. Colorado Springs Utilities rates are competitive. Street parking generally available.

Old Colorado City

Studio:
$1,000/mo
1 Bed:
$1,300/mo
2 Bed:
$1,800/mo

Historic arts district west of Downtown near Garden of the Gods; bohemian neighborhood with older apartment stock. Lower rents and good access to outdoor recreation. Older buildings have less insulation — heating bills can run $120–160/mo in winter.

Briargate / North Springs

1 Bed:
$1,500/mo
2 Bed:
$2,000/mo

Suburban master-planned community in north Colorado Springs near the Air Force Academy and Lockheed Martin campus; newer apartment complexes with modern amenities. Car-dependent but newer construction means better energy efficiency.

Utility Providers

Electric
Colorado Springs Utilities
Water
Colorado Springs Utilities
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, Lumen Technologies, LMCO (select areas)

Commute & Transportation

I-25 is the primary corridor connecting Colorado Springs to Denver (70 miles north, 1–1.5 hrs) and Pueblo (45 miles south). Fort Carson Army base is on the south side of the city — south Colorado Springs is popular with soldiers. Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever SFB are on the east side near Powers Boulevard. The USAFA is on the north end near I-25. Bus service by Mountain Metropolitan Transit covers major corridors but frequency is limited. The Powers Corridor (CO-21) has become a major commercial and employment strip on the east side. Major civilian employers include USAA insurance, Lockheed Martin Space, and a growing cybersecurity cluster around the Space Command.

Rental Market Overview

Colorado Springs rents run 25–35% below Denver, making it one of the most affordable Front Range metros. Military BAH rates for E-5 with dependents hover around $1,500–1,800/mo, which effectively sets a floor for the mid-tier rental market. The city grew 20% from 2010 to 2020 and new apartment supply has kept pace, moderating rent growth. Colorado Springs Utilities is city-owned and offers competitive rates — winter heating bills average $90–130/month in a well-insulated 1BR. Renters insurance averages $14–18/month. Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation (Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain State Park) is a genuine amenity that most renters factor into location decisions.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Colorado Springs

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Renting in Colorado Springs: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Colorado Springs?
One-bedroom apartments in Colorado Springs range from $1,300/month in Old Colorado City to $1,500/month in Briargate / North Springs. Two-bedroom units range from $1,800 to $2,000/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Colorado Springs?
In Colorado Springs, electricity is provided by Colorado Springs Utilities, water by Colorado Springs Utilities, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, Lumen Technologies, LMCO (select areas). Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Colorado Springs.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Colorado Springs?
Old Colorado City is the most affordable of the 3 Colorado Springs neighborhoods covered here, at $1,300/month for a one-bedroom — $200 less than Briargate / North Springs, roughly a 13% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Colorado Springs expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Colorado Springs runs about $1,400/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Colorado Springs rents run 25–35% below Denver, making it one of the most affordable Front Range metros. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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