Salary Needed to Live in Colorado Springs as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $80,931/year to live comfortably in Colorado Springs, CO, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $80,931/year to live comfortably in Colorado Springs, CO. The bare-minimum salary is $67,627/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,785.
The minimum scenario leaves about $4,114/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $6,744/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$80,931
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$67,627
$5,636/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$4,114
7% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Colorado Springs
| Expense | Colorado Springs | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $1,401 | $1,641 | -15% |
| Groceries | $326 | $320 | +2% |
| Utilities | $235 | $225 | +4% |
| Transportation | $476 | $421 | +13% |
| Car Insurance | $147 | $215 | -32% |
| Health Insurance | $515 | $642 | -20% |
| Internet | $68 | $65 | +5% |
| Phone (x2) | $147 | $140 | +5% |
| Dining & Social | $473 | $450 | +5% |
| Entertainment | $189 | $180 | +5% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $137 | $130 | +5% |
| Total Monthly | $4,114 | $4,429 | -7% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$4,114
Target savings (12%):$671/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,785
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$80,931
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,401
1-2BR Apartment rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$671/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
105/100
Colorado Springs is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $1,401/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $1,014/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $67,627/year as the survival floor and $80,931/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Colorado Springs
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Colorado Springs?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $80,931/year ($6,744/month gross) to live comfortably in Colorado Springs with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Colorado Springs?
A 1-2br apartment in Colorado Springs costs approximately $1,401/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Colorado Springs affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Colorado Springs is 7% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).