Cost of Living: Colorado Springs vs Omaha (2026)

What does daily life actually cost in Colorado Springs? Start with the 24% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. On the category level, Housing (index 97) is where the real savings show up, while Healthcare (index 99) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $83,198 and homes at $446,132 round out a profile that ranks #1 for clear reasons.

The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Colorado Springs (index 97, rent $1,667); Omaha (index 82, rent $1,403). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.

There's a pattern hiding in these numbers — and it matters: Colorado Springs: high income, low cost — a rare combo. Colorado Springs earns above the national median ($83,198 vs $80,367) while keeping costs below average (index 97 vs 111). That combination is exceptionally rare — only 40 of 288 cities share it.

In plain English: Digging deeper, The national baseline: 111 cost index, $1,895/month rent, $80,367 household income. That's the yardstick. The cities ranked here blow past it — starting with Colorado Springs at just 97 on the index.

Bottom line: Colorado Springs, CO leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.