Moving from Colorado Springs, CO to Columbus, OH
Relocating 1243 mi from Colorado Springs to Columbus is a 22h 49m drive through 6 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1243 mi Β· 22h 49m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β KS β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, US 40, US 24 |
| Major cities en route | Dayton, St Louis, Columbia, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Colorado Springs | Columbus | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.707 | 95.469 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.195 | 95.523 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 116.207 | 87.945 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.2% moving from Colorado Springs to Columbus β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $449,452 in Colorado Springs to $245,979 in Columbus, a 5.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Colorado Springs -2.2%, Columbus -0.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Colorado Springs | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 53Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 21Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 85Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 44.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 50.5Β°F vs 52.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO US, COLUMBUS WCMH, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Colorado Springs | Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 483,099 | 906,480 |
| Median household income | $83,198 | $65,327 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 33 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 24.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.34 |
Expect median household income to fall 5.2% β $83,198 β $65,327 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Columbus MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 132,160 | $44,440 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 121,490 | $40,860 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,300 | $29,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 83,070 | $35,930 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 78,820 | $77,760 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Frequently asked
Is Columbus more expensive than Colorado Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Columbus is 5.2% lower than Colorado Springs (95.469 vs 100.707, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Colorado Springs vs Columbus?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,327 in Columbus vs $83,198 in Colorado Springs β a 21.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Columbus compare to Colorado Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,970 in the Columbus MSA vs $49,310 in the Colorado Springs MSA, on total employment of 1,067,190 and 310,390 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Columbus, OH from Colorado Springs, CO?
The driving distance is 1243 mi and the route typically takes 22h 49m via I 70 and US 40. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Colorado Springs to Columbus?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1243 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Columbus compared to Colorado Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,979 in Columbus vs $449,452 in Colorado Springs β a 45.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Colorado Springs.
City profiles: Colorado Springs, CO Β· Columbus, OH.