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
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