Colorado Springs sits at the base of Pikes Peak, where the Rocky Mountains meet the high plains of southern Colorado. At nearly 500,000 residents, it's Colorado's second-largest city, but it carries a more grounded, spread-out character than Denver — one shaped by its pillar industries, charming cityscape, and an outdoor recreation culture that's woven into everyday life. Garden of the Gods, Palmer Park, and direct access to Pikes Peak aren't weekend getaways for residents here, they're part of daily routines.
To help you narrow down your search, we've put together a list of five neighborhoods worth considering in Colorado Springs based on:
- Rental availability
- Average rent relative to other neighborhoods in the city
- Proximity to points of interest like work hubs, universities, downtown areas, shopping centers, or major parks
- Niche.com’s neighborhood report cards
Each one offers something distinct, from walkable downtown charm to spacious suburbs with mountain views. The five best neighborhoods in Colorado Springs for renters are:
Downtown Colorado Springs
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Colorado Springs: $1,302/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Downtown Colorado Springs: $1,761/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Downtown Colorado Springs: 686 sq. ft.
Why Downtown Colorado Springs is good for renters
Downtown Colorado Springs is the city's most walkable neighborhood, anchored by the North Tejon Street corridor where restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and independent retailers are all accessible on foot. The historic commercial buildings along Tejon and the nearby stretch of West Colorado Avenue in Old Colorado City give the area a sense of history that newer suburban neighborhoods simply don't have. Renters here are close to major employers in the urban core, Mountain Metro Transit bus routes, and the Pikes Peak Greenway trail system, which connects directly to Monument Valley Park for cycling and walking without touching a car.
|
Moderately Walkable |
Some Public Transit |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Moderately Bikeable |
60Downtown Colorado Springs has a walkability score of 60 out of 100. |
40Downtown Colorado Springs has a transit score of 40 out of 100. |
100Downtown Colorado Springs has a drivability score of 100 out of 100. |
60Downtown Colorado Springs has a bikeability score of 60 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Downtown Colorado Springs comes alive on evenings and weekends along the North Tejon Street corridor, which means street noise, pedestrian traffic, and competitive parking are a tradeoff for living in a walkable area with plenty to do.
Briargate
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Colorado Springs: $1,302/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Briargate: $1,485/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Briargate: 768 sq. ft.
Why Briargate is good for renters
Briargate sits on the north side of Colorado Springs and is one of the city's most established suburban neighborhoods. There are numerous retail and dining corridors with grocery stores, restaurants, and big-box retailers, including the Promenade Shops at Briargate and Chapel Hills Mall. The neighborhood offers quick access to the Powers Boulevard employment corridor and is close to the Air Force Academy. Nearby John Venezia Community Park offers sports fields, walking trails, playgrounds, and open green space, while Pine Creek Golf Club is popular for weekend outings.
|
Fairly Walkable |
Moderately Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
40Briargate has a walkability score of 40 out of 100. |
70Briargate has a drivability score of 70 out of 100. |
50Briargate has a bikeability score of 50 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Briargate offers a wide range of apartment communities at varying price points, meaning renters have to evaluate their options to make sure they find the best fit.
Cimarron Hills
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Colorado Springs: $1,302/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Cimarron Hills: $1,439/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Cimarron Hills: 683 sq. ft.
Why Cimarron Hills is good for renters
Cimarron Hills is a community on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs that offers some of the most budget-friendly rental options in the broader metro area. The neighborhood sits close to Peterson Space Force Base and Powers Boulevard, making it a practical choice for those working in those industries. It has shopping corridors just outside the borders, keeping everything close to home, as well as parks and trails.
|
Somewhat Walkable |
Minimal Public Transit |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Moderately Bikeable |
20Cimarron Hills has a walkability score of 20 out of 100. |
10Cimarron Hills has a transit score of 10 out of 100. |
100Cimarron Hills has a drivability score of 100 out of 100. |
60Cimarron Hills has a bikeability score of 60 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Cimarron Hills is one of the more car-dependent areas in the metro, with limited walkability and few dedicated transit options, so a vehicle is often necessary for everyday life.
Stetson Hills
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Colorado Springs: $1,302/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Stetson Hills: $1,402/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in Stetson Hills: 713 sq. ft.
Why Stetson Hills is good for renters
Stetson Hills is not far from Cimarron Hills and is known for its polished streets and access to open space. The neighborhood is laced with trails that connect parks and green corridors, branching from the Stetson Hills Open Space to San Creek Trail. In the southwest corner lies multiple shopping centers containing all the stores and dining options that residents could need.
|
Somewhat Walkable |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
20Stetson Hills has a walkability score of 20 out of 100. |
90Stetson Hills has a drivability score of 90 out of 100. |
50Stetson Hills has a bikeability score of 50 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
Stetson Hills is filled with many single-family homes, so apartment options are a little more limited. However, this means that there are many detached home rentals available.
SE Colorado Springs
- Average 1-bedroom rent in Colorado Springs: $1,302/month
- Average 1-bedroom rent in SE Colorado Springs: $1,070/month
- Average 1-bedroom size in SE Colorado Springs: 571 sq. ft.
Why SE Colorado Springs is good for renters
SE Colorado Springs lies just below East Fountain Boulevard, where the city grid transitions into a more residential landscape. Local parks, like Monterey Park and Leon Young Park, add green space, playgrounds, and sport courts, while Sand Creek Trail traces the neighborhood’s southeastern edge. The central location puts renters within reach of most of Colorado Springs for professional opportunities, errands, and entertainment for a lower price as the area is one of the most affordable neighborhoods.
|
Fairly Walkable |
Limited Public Transit |
Exceptionally Drivable |
Fairly Bikeable |
40SE Colorado Springs has a walkability score of 40 out of 100. |
30SE Colorado Springs has a transit score of 30 out of 100. |
100SE Colorado Springs has a drivability score of 100 out of 100. |
50SE Colorado Springs has a bikeability score of 50 out of 100. |
Keep in mind
SE Colorado Springs has a modest mix of grocery stores and casual restaurants, but shopping and dining options are limited within the neighborhood. For more variety, renters can head to nearby areas with more retail and restaurants.
Ready to Make the Move?
Colorado Springs offers a range of rental options, from apartments clustered onto walkable streets near Tejon Street to spacious communities and quiet streets on the edges of the city. The right neighborhood really depends on how you want to live day to day. Whether you're prioritizing proximity to work, access to trails and open space, budget-friendly rents, or modern apartment amenities, there's a neighborhood in this city that fits.
Apartments.com makes it easy to search by neighborhood, filter by price, unit size, pet policy, and amenities, and browse photos and floor plans all in one place. Start your search today and find the Colorado Springs rental that checks all your boxes.
Methodology
Rent and cost of living data are sourced from the Apartments.com Rent Trends pages and Cost of Living Calculator. Walkability, transit, drivability, and bikeability ratings are sourced from the Apartments.com Area Guides, courtesy of Local Logic.
FAQs
Is Colorado Springs a good place to live?
Colorado Springs is a good place to live since it offers easy access to outdoor recreation, a stable job market, higher education, and a cost of living close to the national average. The city's 195 square miles give renters variety and adventure in their life.
Is Colorado Springs an expensive place to live?
Colorado Springs sits nearly at the national average for its cost of living, creating a balance between affordability and city convenience. Rents are typically 21 percent lower than the national average, making it an affordable option when many places are getting more expensive. There are plenty of affordable neighborhoods that can stretch your budget even further.
What’s the average rent in Colorado Springs?
The average rent in Colorado Springs is $1,303/month, which is 21 percent lower than the national average of $1,642/month.
What salary do you need to live in Colorado Springs?
To live comfortably in Colorado Springs, our cost of living data recommends a salary of $79,000.
