Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs is one of the nation's top 10 places to live — and it's an even better spot for young people who are looking for good jobs and an appealing quality of life, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The national news publication, which in May selected the Springs as No. 9 in its annual ranking of Best Places to Live, tabbed the city as No. 4 in its Best Places for Young Professionals to Live list for 2023-24.

With remote working and a renewed focus on healthy lifestyles, a growing number of people are looking at moving to Colorado Springs, CO. Why that area, in particular? Because the city has such a great variety of outdoor activities, walkable neighborhoods, and family-friendly places to visit — from parks to museums to restaurants. It’s earned a reputation for its temperate weather and natural beauty.

Geography: Colorado Springs is located at the foot of Pikes Peak, 70 miles south of the state’s most populous city, Denver. Because of its proximity to mountains, you’ll find that the air is dry, there are several different elevations throughout the city, and there’s a large array of unique Colorado Springs neighborhoods and attractions, due to the surrounding natural geography.

Size: The city of Colorado Springs is about 195 square miles, and there are more than 9,000 acres of parkland.

Population: Colorado Springs is the second most populous city in Colorado, with a population of around 492,000 residents.

While the cost of living here is 5 percent higher than the national average, it’s lower than nearby Denver — which is 11 percent higher than the national average. And, surprisingly, not everything is more expensive here than the national average. The average Colorado Springs utility bill, for example, is nearly 8 percent lower than the country’s average, and groceries are almost 2 percent lower. Be aware, though — cost of living is always fluctuating, especially in a city growing as rapidly as Colorado Springs.