2027 MNM LIVABILITY INDEX

Colorado Springs

Colorado (CO)

Best for: Military families, remote workers and outdoor enthusiasts who want mountain access, sunshine and a smaller-city feel.

2027 CITY CLASSLarge City300,000–999,999 residents

Modern Livability82.4/ 100

AT A GLANCE

Everyday numbers

Population494,743

Median Home$450,700

Median Rent$1,513

Median Household Income$84,800

Cost of Living~105.0 (US=100; 2024 metro/region)

Average Commute24.3 min

Unemployment~4.5% metro (2026)

Metro AreaColorado Springs, CO

2027 MODERN LIVABILITY SCORECARD

How this city actually lives

Twelve dimensions capture both hard data and the everyday experience traditional lists tend to miss.

82.4overall

Housing & Financial Reality62.0

Housing burden, taxes, insurance, utilities and what local incomes actually buy.

Ease of Living82.0

Errands, commute friction, parking, services and the effort required for daily life.

Safety & Stability81.0

Personal, neighborhood, road and environmental stability.

Economic Opportunity87.0

Jobs, wages, career mobility, employer diversity and economic resilience.

Health & Wellness93.0

Healthcare access, activity, mental wellness, healthy food and environmental health.

Beauty & Sense of Place99.0

Scenery, architecture, trees, cleanliness, public realm and distinct sense of place.

Mobility & Congestion54.0

Traffic delay, commute reliability, walking, cycling and transit usefulness.

Nature & Escape100.0

Trails, water, mountains, parks, public lands and how easily residents can escape.

Diversity & Belonging82.0

Diversity, integration, accessibility, newcomer friendliness and community connection.

Climate & Environment84.0

Comfortable weather, air quality, severe weather and environmental exposure.

Community & Culture81.0

Restaurants, arts, events, third places, recreation and social life.

Infrastructure & Connectivity88.0

Broadband, utilities, airport, highways, transit and essential connectivity.

THE THINGS OLD-SCHOOL LISTS MISS

What daily life feels like

Traffic / CongestionModerate. Peak-hour congestion exists, but commute times and road/transit options keep everyday friction manageable.

Weekend EscapeOutstanding. Beaches, mountains, desert, forests or major recreation are close enough to make spontaneous escapes realistic.

WalkabilityAbout 36/100 citywide Walk Score. The city is car-dependent overall, so neighborhood choice strongly affects daily convenience.

Airport AccessGood to very good. Commercial air service is accessible, though nonstop breadth is smaller than the largest hubs.

Outdoor AccessExceptional. Natural assets, trails, water or mountain access are close enough to shape everyday life rather than occasional recreation.

Healthcare AccessExceptional. Major academic or specialty medical systems provide unusually deep healthcare access.

Air QualityMixed. Air quality is usually workable but can worsen with heat, smoke, traffic emissions or seasonal weather patterns.

Third Places / Social LifeGood. Everyday social options are available, though the network of third places is less dense than in stronger cultural cities.

EDITORIAL VIEW

More than a number

Trajectory: Stable

WHY IT STANDS OUT

Why we chose it

Colorado Springs stands out in the 2027 MNM Livability Index for mountain access; beauty; trails; military economy; safety; sunshine. The score balances housing, ease of living, safety, opportunity, wellness, beauty, mobility, nature, belonging, climate, culture and infrastructure. Its biggest tradeoffs are housing costs; car dependence; wildfire risk; limited transit.

REAL LIFE