Moving to Colorado Springs: A Practical Guide for Buyers
If you are thinking about moving to Colorado Springs, it helps to spend some time learning how the city works before you choose a house.
Colorado Springs is a large and spread out city. The right home for you depends on your budget, where you work, how much driving you want to do, what kind of neighborhood you prefer, and how close you want to be to parks and hiking.
This Colorado Springs relocation guide is meant to give you a starting point.
Is Colorado Springs a good place to buy a home?
That depends on your plans. If you expect to stay in the area for several years, buying may make sense. You build equity as you pay down the loan, and you have more control over the property than you would as a renter.
But buying is not automatically better than renting. If you are still deciding whether Colorado Springs will be home for you, renting for a while can also be a reasonable choice. You're not tied to a home yet and you have time to get familiar with the city before committing to buying a home.
On the flip side, buying a home upfront gives you home ownership, and generally equity gain over the long-term. You're paying into your own mortgage instead of someone else's. It's not a guarantee that you'll gain equity right away. The general rule of thumb is that you need to own a home for at least 5 years before you'll break even on selling it. Given that Colorado Springs home prices jumped quite a bit in the 2016 to 2021 timeframe, you're not likely to see a massive equity gain. I never want to promise that your home's value will go up. However, historically, home values do go up.
The current market gives buyers more choices than they had a few years ago. As of August 24, 2026, there were about 3,086 active listings in the Colorado Springs market, with about 4.3 months of supply and increasing. The median price currently is about $447,500.
That puts a $500,000 budget near the middle of the local market. It does not mean every home under $500,000 will be a good fit. Location, condition, size, lot, garage, and updates can make a big difference.
Mortgage rates are also important. The average 30 year mortgage rate was around 6.77% in mid August 2026. This means the monthly payment can be a much bigger issue than the purchase price alone.
Before shopping, I recommend looking at the full monthly cost. That includes the mortgage, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA dues if there are any, utilities, and maintenance.
What can you buy for under $500,000?
A $500,000 budget can work in Colorado Springs, but you will probably need to decide which features matter most.
Below $500,000 you'll often find:
• Older single family homes
• Smaller newer homes
• Homes farther from the center of the city
• Homes with smaller lots
• Homes that need cosmetic updates
• Townhomes and condos
• Smaller new construction homes
The further north you go, the more expensive the home. There are however some pockets of Colorado Springs like Broadmoor area int eh Southwest part of the city that are also higher priced. Generally anything in the Briargate neighborhood (Central North Colorado Springs) and anything south of that you can find a great home under $500,000. The best choice depends on your priorities. For example, someone who wants a quiet residential setting, a garage, a large yard, and a newer house may need to look in different areas than someone who wants to be close to downtown, restaurants, trails, and other activities.
The good news is that the current market has more inventory than buyers saw during the extremely competitive years of 2020 through 2022. That gives buyers more opportunity to compare homes instead of feeling like they have to buy the first house they see.
Colorado Springs is not one type of neighborhood
One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving here is thinking about Colorado Springs as one market. It is not! The city covers a large area, and neighborhoods can feel very different from one another.
The north side has many established suburban neighborhoods as well as newer development.
The central part of the city has older homes, mature trees, smaller lots, and easier access to many parts of town.
The west side puts you closer to the mountains, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, and many hiking areas.
The east and southeast sides can offer different price points and easier access to military installations and other employment centers.
There are also communities outside the city, including Fountain, Monument, Falcon, and other parts of El Paso County.
For a buyer who is new to Colorado Springs, I usually recommend looking at several parts of town before deciding where to focus. You may discover that the neighborhood you expected to like is not actually the best fit for your daily life.
What about safety?
Safety is a reasonable thing to research before buying a home.
I do not recommend choosing a neighborhood based on a simple label such as "safe" or "unsafe." Instead, look at the actual data for the property and surrounding area.
The Colorado Springs Police Department has a public crime data system that allows people to look at reported crimes by neighborhood and crime category. CSPD's data includes crimes against people, property crimes, and other categories.
CSPD also provides a "My Neighborhood" tool showing calls for police service. It is important to understand that a call for service does not necessarily mean a crime occurred.
CSPD says its crime data is updated regularly and can change as reports are investigated and corrected. The department also recommends caution when comparing its data with other crime reports because different sources may use different methods. That is why I like to look at several things instead of relying on one crime score from a real estate website.
When we look at a property, we can examine:
• Recent reported crimes nearby
• Types of reported crimes
• Calls for police service
• Traffic patterns
• The surrounding streets
• Lighting and sidewalks
• Nearby businesses and major roads
• The condition and use of nearby properties
You should also visit the neighborhood yourself. Drive through during the day, but also come back after dark. If possible, visit during a weekday and on a weekend. A neighborhood can look very different at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday than it does at 9 p.m. on a Saturday.
Colorado Springs has also seen improvements in several major crime categories. CSPD reported that overall property crime fell 14% in 2025 compared with 2024, including a 19% decrease in burglary, a 32% decrease in motor vehicle burglary, and a 42% decrease in motor vehicle theft. Crimes against people fell 2.4%.
Those are citywide numbers however. They don't tell us whether a particular house is in a good location for you. That's why I prefer looking at the specific property.
What about homelessness?
Homelessness exists in Colorado Springs. It is more visible in some parts of the city than others.
The City of Colorado Springs maintains a homelessness response program and publishes data from the local Point in Time count. The city also notes that the Point in Time count is only a partial picture because it cannot capture everyone experiencing homelessness.
The 2026 city report said overall and unsheltered homelessness decreased compared with the previous count, while permanent housing capacity increased.
A majority of our homeless or unhoused population will tend to stay near the downtown area, where there are more social services available. However for someone who is concerned about seeing homeless camps or people living on the street, I would not simply say, "This neighborhood has no homeless people," which would be impossible to guarantee.
Instead, we can look at the actual location. We can check for nearby shelters, services, major commercial areas, transit routes, parks, and known areas where homelessness is more visible. We can also drive the neighborhood together.
This matters because homelessness is not evenly distributed throughout the city. A buyer who wants to minimize the likelihood of encountering visible homelessness should evaluate the immediate surroundings of each property rather than relying on a citywide reputation.
It is also important to separate homelessness from crime. A person being homeless does not automatically mean that person is dangerous or committing a crime. The goal should be to find a location where you feel comfortable while using objective information to make the decision.
What if I am relocating? How different is Colorado Springs compared to say Texas, Arizona, California, or even Denver?
Colorado Springs can feel very different from other parts of the county. A majority of people relocating to Colorado Springs are coming from Denver, Dallas and Houston in Texas, Los Angeles in California, and Phoenix in Arizona.
The biggest difference is probably the elevation and climate (though Denver is nearly identical in weather and climate). Colorado Springs sits at just over 6,000 feet above sea level, and the surrounding mountains rise much higher.
The weather can change quickly, especially when you are close to the mountains. Right now at the end of Summer headed into the Fall, Colorado Springs often goes from sunny to cloudy with afternoon rain, to sunny again just before sunset. Winter does not necessarily mean months of snow as it used to in the 1990's. Colorado Springs can and does have sunny winter days followed by snowstorms. Snow usually melts quickly, within a day or two, but major storms can still occasionally affect roads and daily life.
The dry climate is another adjustment for many people moving from Texas. You may notice dry skin, dry air, and a much different feel when exercising outdoors. I recommend daily body lotion and HYDRATION! You'll get dehydrated sooner than you think.
The elevation can also affect hiking and exercise. A hike that looks easy on a map may feel harder when you are not used to the altitude. I recommend getting those handheld oxygen canisters from the store and keeping one on hand. It's a lifesaver if you're used to a lower elevation, as Colorado Springs doesn't have as much oxygen in the air as you're used to.
If you like hiking, Colorado Springs is a very different place to live
This is one of the city's biggest advantages for someone who enjoys being outdoors. Colorado Springs has more than 9,000 acres of parkland and about 500 acres of trails. Major outdoor areas include Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park, Ute Valley Park, Red Rock Canyon Open Space, North Cheyenne Cañon, and several other parks and open spaces. You don't have to drive out of the city to enjoy nature, but if you want to get further out there, it's only a 20 to 30 minute drive to get to the Front Range mountains and the entrance to Pikes Peak. It's also a dog friendly and kid friendly city. You'll see people walking their dogs in neighborhoods and on the trails often. The city also maintains a large network of urban and natural surface trails.
Some popular areas include:
Garden of the Gods
Garden of the Gods is one of the best known outdoor areas in Colorado Springs. It has dramatic red rock formations and a large trail system.
It's easy to visit so it can be a good place to start if you are new to the area. Make sure to also visit the Visitor Center and gift shop, where you can sample and buy Rocky Mountain fudge and local Colorado ice cream!
Red Rock Canyon Open Space
Red Rock Canyon is close to the west side of Colorado Springs and to Garden of the Gods, and offers hiking and other outdoor recreation.
Ute Valley Park
Ute Valley is on the northwest side of the city and has a network of natural trails.
Palmer Park
Palmer Park is closer to the center and northeast side of the city and offers trails and views without requiring a trip into the mountains. You can hike around in there without feeling like you're in city. There's also a large popular playground on the Southeast corner of Palmer Park!
North Cheyenne Cañon
North Cheyenne Cañon is one of the major foothill recreation areas near the southwest side of Colorado Springs. It offers access to hiking and mountain scenery.
Pikes Peak
Pikes Peak is directly west of Colorado Springs. The Pikes Peak Highway entrance is about 15 minutes west of the city, although the actual trip to the summit takes much longer. The highway climbs 19 miles into the mountains and reaches the summit at 14,115 feet.
Hiking Pikes Peak is a much more serious activity than walking a neighborhood trail. Mountain weather can change quickly, and the city recommends checking conditions, having enough water and equipment, and planning around operating hours.
If you are coming from out of state and love hiking, I would spend some time exploring different trail systems before choosing a neighborhood.
You may find that being 10 or 15 minutes closer to your favorite trails matters more to you than having a newer house.
Manitou Incline
Manitou Springs is a small town just west of Colorado Springs on highway 24. It's a popular tourist attraction with lots of walkable shops and parks. There is also the Manitou Incline, which is a set of railroad tie stairs that goes up the mountain. It's a more advanced hiking trail, but you can also use Barr Trail right next to the Manitou Incline. Barr Trail is a winding trail but much easier to hike up if you're new to Colorado Springs. Both Barr Trail and the Manitou Incline reach the same summit, where people take pictures at the top. You get a great view of Manitou Springs and Colorado Springs from there. It's a magical view!
What about the military?
Colorado Springs has a large military presence, so people with a military background often find the community familiar. The area has several major military installations, including Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Fort Carson, and the United States Air Force Academy.
The military and defense industry are also an important part of the local economy (about 40% of the city's revenue). Colorado Springs recently secured the relocation of a Department of Defense agency to Peterson Space Force Base, with the agency overseeing about $4 billion in Space Force infrastructure spending.
If you are a veteran, it is also worth finding out whether you still have VA loan eligibility. A VA loan is especially useful for eligible buyers because of the ability to purchase a home with no money down, but the right financing depends on your situation. I recommend comparing the VA loan with conventional financing rather than assuming one is automatically better.
What about military and veteran resources?
If you are active duty, retired, or a veteran, there are many local Colorado Springs resources that can make moving here easier.
Fort Carson
Fort Carson is an Army installation south of Colorado Springs. It is home to thousands of service members and their families.
The official Fort Carson website provides information about housing, family services, medical care, schools, recreation, employment, and other services.
Peterson Space Force Base
Peterson Space Force Base is on the east side of Colorado Springs. It is an important part of the local military and space community.
The base provides resources for service members and their families, including housing, family support, recreation, and other services.
United States Air Force Academy
The U.S. Air Force Academy is north of Colorado Springs at the foot of the Front Range. In addition to educating future Air Force and Space Force officers, the Academy has a large community of military personnel, families, and civilian employees.
United States Air Force Academy
Schriever Space Force Base
Schriever Space Force Base is located east of Colorado Springs and is part of the region's growing space and defense industry.
VA services
The PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic provides health care for veterans in Colorado Springs. The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center is located in Aurora and provides a wider range of specialty and hospital services.
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
If you are a veteran, it is worth checking your VA health care eligibility and making sure you understand where your regular and specialty care would be provided before moving.
VA home loans
If you are eligible for a VA home loan, make sure your lender understands VA financing.
VA loans can offer benefits such as no required down payment for many eligible borrowers and no monthly mortgage insurance. There are also specific VA rules regarding the property and the loan.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides the most current information about eligibility and VA loan benefits.
One important point for buyers moving from another state is that you may be able to use your VA loan benefit again after a previous VA loan has been paid off or otherwise handled according to VA rules. Your lender or VA can determine how much entitlement you currently have.
Military relocation
If you are moving because of military orders, the timing and logistics can be very different from a normal move. You may be dealing with a short timeline, temporary housing, household goods, a new duty station, and questions about whether you should rent or buy.
If you are considering buying, I recommend getting your financing and relocation timeline figured out before seriously shopping for a home. For military buyers, I can also help you compare neighborhoods based on commute times to Fort Carson, Peterson, Schriever, or the Air Force Academy rather than simply looking at the city as a whole.
Colorado Springs is large, and the best location can be very different depending on where you will be working.
What about schools?
If you have young children, schools will probably be an important part of your home search.
Colorado Springs has several public school districts, including Colorado Springs School District 11, Academy School District 20, Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, Harrison School District 2, Fountain Fort Carson School District 8, Falcon School District 49, and Widefield School District 3. Each district has its own schools, boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules.
One thing that can surprise people moving here is that school boundaries do not always line up neatly with neighborhood names. Two homes that are only a few blocks apart can sometimes be assigned to different schools. That means I recommend checking the school assignment for the specific property rather than assuming a home is in a particular school because of its neighborhood name.
You should also look beyond school ratings. When choosing a home, consider the things that matter to your family:
• Which schools your children would attend
• How far the schools are from the home
• How your children would get to school
• Before and after school programs
• Special education and other support services
• Sports, music, arts, and other activities
• School size
• Class offerings
• Your child's individual needs
Colorado also has open enrollment, which can give some families additional options. However, open enrollment is not guaranteed. School districts and individual schools can have different policies and capacity limits. I also recommend visiting the schools and talking with the district before making a decision. A school that looks good on a website may feel very different when you visit it, and the best choice can depend on your child's needs.
For families moving from another state, this is one area where it is worth doing the research before choosing a neighborhood.
If schools are important to you, I can help you identify homes based on school boundaries and then provide the information you need to research the schools yourself. The final decision about a school should be based on your family's needs and information from the school or district.
What about hospitals and healthcare?
Healthcare is another thing worth considering when choosing where to live, especially if you have children or anyone in your household has ongoing medical needs.
Colorado Springs has several major hospitals and a large network of clinics, urgent care centers, and specialty providers. You do not necessarily need to live close to a hospital, but it is worth knowing where the major medical centers are and how long it would take to get there from your home.
UCHealth Memorial Hospital
UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central is one of the largest hospitals in Colorado Springs. It has 413 beds and provides a wide range of medical services. It is also a Level I Trauma Center, which is the highest level of adult trauma care. This means it can handle very serious and complex injuries without sending patients to Denver for that level of care.
Memorial Hospital Central is located near downtown Colorado Springs at 1400 E. Boulder Street.
UCHealth also operates Memorial Hospital North near Briargate. Memorial Hospital North is a Level III Trauma Center and provides emergency and hospital care for the northern part of the city.
For someone looking at homes in northern Colorado Springs, Memorial Hospital North and the medical facilities around Briargate can be particularly convenient.
Children's Hospital Colorado
One of the biggest changes for families with children is the new Children's Hospital Colorado, Colorado Springs.
The hospital is located at 4090 Briargate Parkway in northern Colorado Springs. It is a pediatric hospital designed specifically for children and teens.
The facility includes a pediatric emergency department that is open 24 hours a day, as well as pediatric operating rooms and specialty services. It is the first pediatric only emergency department and operating room facility in Colorado Springs.
This is particularly useful for families who live in northern Colorado Springs. You can get specialized children's emergency and hospital care without automatically having to drive to the Denver area.
Children's Hospital Colorado also operates outpatient care and therapy facilities nearby in the Briargate area.
For families with children who have ongoing medical needs, I would look at the location of their doctors and specialists before choosing a home. A house that is 15 minutes closer to a medical provider can make a surprisingly big difference if you're making frequent appointments.
Other healthcare options
You will also find many primary care doctors, specialists, urgent care centers, imaging centers, physical therapy clinics, and other medical services throughout Colorado Springs. The important thing to remember is that the best location for healthcare depends on your specific needs.
If you have a child who needs pediatric specialists, you may want to pay particular attention to the Briargate area.
If you have regular appointments with a particular specialist, the location of that practice may matter more than the location of a hospital.
If you are older or have ongoing medical needs, you may want to consider how easily you can get to your doctors, pharmacies, and other services.
Your health insurance network also matters. Before buying a home, check that the doctors and hospitals you want to use are covered by your insurance plan.
What I recommend for relocating families
I would not choose a neighborhood solely because it is close to a hospital. Instead, look at your normal healthcare needs and then consider how convenient the important locations are from the homes you are considering.
For a family with young children, I would specifically look at the location of Children's Hospital Colorado, pediatricians, urgent care, and any specialists your children may need.
For adults, I would look at primary care, specialists, pharmacies, and the hospitals included in your insurance network.
Healthcare is one of those things you may not think about when you are excited about moving to Colorado. It becomes much more important when you actually need it. It is worth researching before you choose a house.
How far should I live from work?
This is one of the questions I would want to have an answer for before choosing a neighborhood. Colorado Springs is large enough that a house can look close on a map but still produce a very different daily commute.
Depending on where you're working, you should compare neighborhoods based on driving time and major roads. This can be more useful than simply searching for "best neighborhoods in Colorado Springs." For example, a neighborhood that is excellent for hiking may not be the best choice if it adds a lot of driving to work every day. The goal is to find the best combination.
What about buying a new construction home?
New construction is worth considering if you are moving to Colorado Springs. There are new homes being built in many parts of the area. Some of the busiest areas for new construction are on the north, northeast, east, and southeast sides of the city. Banning Lewis Ranch, Bradley Heights, Lorson Ranch, and areas around the Powers and Marksheffel corridors have seen a lot of new home construction.
There are also newer communities closer to the mountains and in northern Colorado Springs, although prices can be higher in some of those areas. New construction can be especially appealing for buyer, with prices starting the upper $400's for smaller new build homes.
But a new home is not automatically a better deal than an existing home. There are some real advantages and disadvantages to both.
Advantages of buying new construction
The biggest advantage is that everything is new.
You are not buying a 30 or 40 year old furnace, roof, water heater, or air conditioner. Many of the major systems in a new home have not been used before.
New homes also tend to have newer floor plans. You may get an open kitchen and living area, larger closets, more outlets, modern bathrooms, and other features that can be harder to find in older homes.
Energy efficiency can also be better. New homes are built under current building codes and generally use newer equipment and construction methods.
Another advantage is that you can choose the finishes if you're building from scratch. Often builders will have spec homes too, which means they starting building it without a buyer and sell it as an already finished new home. The downside is you don't get to pick your finishes for the home.
Depending on the builder and stage of construction, you may be able to choose things such as flooring, cabinets, countertops, appliances, paint, and other features.
Builders also often offer financial incentives. For example a builder might offer money toward closing costs or a temporary mortgage rate reduction. These incentives can be valuable, but they should be compared with the home's total price and monthly payment. A lower introductory mortgage rate does not necessarily mean the home is cheaper.
New homes also usually come with a builder warranty. The exact coverage depends on the builder and the warranty documents, so it is important to understand what is covered and for how long.
Disadvantages of buying new construction
The biggest disadvantage is that the advertised price may not be the final price. The base price may not include the lot you actually want, finished basement, upgraded cabinets, better flooring, fencing, landscaping, window coverings, or other features.
A house advertised at $500,000 can become considerably more expensive after upgrades. This is why I like to compare the final price of a new home with the price of similar existing homes.
You should also look at property taxes and HOA costs and Metro District costs. Some newer communities can have higher property taxes or additional fees than an older neighborhood. Certain communities may also have metro district taxes or other charges. These costs can have a meaningful effect on your monthly payment.
Another issue is the neighborhood itself. When you buy in a new development, the neighborhood is still often under construction. You could have construction trucks, unfinished roads, empty lots, dust, noise, and changing traffic patterns for several years.
There are also fewer mature trees and less landscaping. An older neighborhood may have large trees, established yards, mature landscaping, and streets that have already been built out.
Also consider that new home developments are often further outside the city, as the inner city has mostly already been built out. You may have a new home, but you may also be further away from the amenities you want.
The other thing to consider is that new home builders price their homes higher but offer financial incentives because it's cheaper for them to do that than drop their prices. That means you usually get a lower interest rate than the going interest rate for pre-existing homes, but if you sell your home later, it may be difficult to sell it for more than what you bought it for. Right now in Colorado Springs I've been seeing that exact scenario, where people have to sell their new house for less than what they bought it for. If you buy a new home, usually it's in an area where new build companies are still building new homes. It will be harder for your home to compete with brand new homes that have no maintenance.
Also consider the build quality of new homes. Most home builders use the same subcontractors, and sometimes those subcontractors cut corners or use substandard building materials. Asbestos in cheap imported drywall can be a concern for example. Make ABSOLUTELY sure you hire a third-party home inspector who has experience with new home construction. You'll want that home inspector to observe your new home build for the foundation pour, the framing, installation of plumbing and electrical, and then finally the finished home. The last thing you want is rotted joists, or a retaining wall that falls over after a couple years, or mold that formed when it was rainy or snowing while the house was still in framing.
New construction can also mean a different location
Many of the largest new developments are on the edges of Colorado Springs or in areas that are still being developed. That can give you a newer home at a reasonable price, but you may give up some convenience.
You should consider:
• How long it takes to get to work
• How far you are from grocery stores
• How far you are from restaurants and other services
• Access to hiking trails
• Traffic during your normal commute
• How long it takes to reach the mountains
• How far you are from hospitals and doctors
• How developed the surrounding area is
A new house may be less expensive than an older house closer to the mountains, but if you have to drive 20 or 30 minutes farther every time you want to hike or go shopping, that may affect how much you lean toward a new build home.
Advantages of buying an existing home
Existing homes give you more variety. Colorado Springs has neighborhoods that were built over many decades. You can find everything from older homes near downtown to homes from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and more recent construction.
Older neighborhoods often have things that are difficult for new developments to reproduce.
You may find:
• Mature trees
• Larger lots
• Established landscaping
• Finished basements
• Unique floor plans
• Larger garages
• Established parks
• Established shopping nearby
• Shorter drives to older parts of the city
You can also see what the neighborhood actually looks like.
If you buy a house in a neighborhood that has been around for 30 years, you do not have to guess what the finished neighborhood will look like.
Disadvantages of buying an existing home
The obvious downside is that the house has already been used.
The roof, furnace, water heater, windows, appliances, electrical system, plumbing, and other components may be older.
That does not necessarily mean the house is a bad purchase. It does however mean you need to understand what you are buying. A good inspection is important no matter if it's a new home or a pre-existing one.
You should also pay attention to the age and condition of the major systems and estimate when they may need to be replaced.
An older house may also have features that would not be built the same way today. That can include older electrical systems, older plumbing materials, less insulation, smaller closets, fewer outlets, or floor plans that are less suited to how people use homes today.
On the other hand, an older home may have already had many of those things updated. That is why the age of the house alone does not tell you whether it is a good choice.
For a buyer who is new to Colorado Springs, I usually recommend looking at both new homes and pre-existing homes.
You may find that a new home is exactly what you want. You may also discover that an older home in an established neighborhood gives you a better location and more house for the money. The important thing is to compare the complete package.
Do not compare a $500,000 new home with a $500,000 existing home based only on the price.
Compare the monthly payment, taxes, HOA and metro district costs, lot size, garage, finished space, commute, neighborhood, nearby services, hiking access, condition, and expected maintenance. That's where the real difference becomes clear!
An important tip when visiting a new home community
If you are interested in new construction, I recommend contacting your buyer's agent before your first visit to the builder's sales office.
The sales representative at the community works for the builder and they will negotiate against you to get the most profit for their company. Your buyer's agent however works for you. I can help you compare the builder's home with other new homes and existing homes, review the purchase contract, research the neighborhood, and help you compare the total cost.
New construction can be a very good option in Colorado Springs. It is simply a different type of purchase, and it is worth evaluating it alongside existing homes rather than assuming one is automatically better.
What should you look for when choosing a neighborhood?
For someone who is new to Colorado Springs, I would start with five questions:
- How much do I want to spend?
- Where will I drive most often?
- How important is access to hiking and outdoor recreation?
- What kind of neighborhood environment makes me comfortable?
- How much house do I actually need?
Then we can narrow the search.
For example, a buyer with a budget around say $500,000 who enjoys hiking and does not need to prioritize schools, I would generally want to examine several different parts of the Colorado Springs area rather than automatically concentrating on one "best" neighborhood. That allows us to compare price, commute, crime data, nearby services, outdoor access, and the actual feel of each area.
Buying versus continuing to rent
If you are still unsure whether Colorado Springs is where you want to stay, there is nothing wrong with waiting. Buying a home comes with transaction costs, maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and the possibility that you may need to sell sooner than expected if anything changes for you.
On the other hand, buying can give you more control over your housing and the opportunity to build equity.
The current market is also much different from the market buyers faced a few years ago. There are thousands of homes available, and current inventory is over 4 months. You have more home buying options, and that means you don't necessarily have to rush.
You can look at homes, compare neighborhoods, talk with a lender, calculate your monthly payment, and decide whether buying actually makes sense for you.
My approach to helping someone relocate to Colorado Springs
If you are moving here from another state, my job is more than simply sending you listings of homes for sale. You also need someone who can help you understand the area.
Before we start looking seriously at homes, you want to solidify:
• Where you work
• Your budget
• Whether you want to buy for sure or are still deciding
• How long you expect to stay
• What you like to do outside of work
• How much driving you are willing to do
• Whether you want an older or newer home
• Whether you need a garage, or how much garage you need
• How important outdoor space is
• What concerns you have about neighborhood crime and safety
Then we can use those answers to narrow down the area.
For safety concerns, we can look at public crime information for specific properties. For concerns about visible homelessness, we can examine the immediate surroundings and visit the area. CSPD provides public crime and calls for service information that can be used as part of that process.
I also encourage buyers to spend time in a neighborhood before making an offer. Walk around, and drive around. Visit nearby stores and see how you feel about the commute. Look at the neighborhood at different times of day and night.
A house can look great online and still be the wrong house for your daily life. The reverse is also true. A house may not look particularly exciting on a listing website but turn out to be in exactly the right location.
That is especially important when you are moving to Colorado Springs and don't know the area yet.
The short version
Colorado Springs can be a good fit for someone who wants access to the mountains, hiking, outdoor recreation, military and defense employment, and a relatively large city without living in Denver where it's busier and more expensive.
For buyers with a budget around $500,000, which is about the average cost of a home in Colorado Springs, there are currently a substantial number of homes to consider. The August 24, 2026 market snapshot showed about 3,086 active listings in the Colorado Springs market, with about 4.3 months of supply and increasing. The median price currently is about $447,500.
There are several things worth considering before choosing a neighborhood:
• Your commute to work
• Neighborhood safety and nearby crime data
• Access to hiking and outdoor recreation
• Schools if you have school age children
• Hospitals and healthcare
• Shopping and everyday services
• Property taxes, HOA fees, and other housing costs
• Whether you want new construction or an established neighborhood
• Access to military installations if you are active duty, retired, or a veteran
New construction can offer modern floor plans, new systems, energy efficiency, and builder warranties. Existing homes can offer mature neighborhoods, larger trees, established landscaping, and locations closer to the center of the city. Neither is automatically better.
For families with young children, school boundaries should be checked for the specific property. For families with medical needs, the location of Children's Hospital Colorado, UCHealth Memorial Hospital, doctors, and specialists may also be important.
For military and veteran buyers, the location of Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the Air Force Academy can make a major difference in daily life.
If you enjoy hiking, Colorado Springs has thousands of acres of parks and open space, along with trails ranging from easy city walks to challenging mountain hikes.
If you are moving here from another state, you do not necessarily need to know the city before you start looking. That's why you have me as a resource! Part of my job is helping you understand the differences between areas so you can make an informed decision about where you actually want to live.
The most important thing is choosing the right part of town. If you are moving to Colorado Springs, don't start by asking, "What is the best neighborhood?" but instead, "What kind of daily life do I want?" Then find the neighborhoods that fit that answer.
That is usually a much better way to choose a home!
I hope this Colorado Springs relocation guide has been helpful for you. If you'd like to talk more about moving to Colorado Springs and the housing market here, get in touch with me and I'll be glad to help you out and give you more info.
Sources and useful resources
Colorado Springs Police Department crime data and neighborhood information: CSPD Data Hub
Colorado Springs Parks, Trails and Open Space information: City of Colorado Springs Parks and Trails
Colorado Springs homelessness information: City of Colorado Springs Homelessness Prevention and Response
Pikes Peak hiking and visitor information: Pikes Peak America's Mountain
Colorado Springs city info (good starting point for parks, trails, city services, permits, public safety, utilities, events, and other local information.): City of Colorado Springs
Useful military resources
Fort Carson: https://home.army.mil/carson/
Peterson Space Force Base: https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/
Schriever Space Force Base: https://www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/
U.S. Air Force Academy: https://www.usafa.edu/
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System: https://www.va.gov/eastern-colorado-health-care/
VA Home Loans: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/
Market information changes regularly. Housing statistics in this article are a snapshot and should not be treated as a prediction of future prices or market conditions.
