Elizabeth, CO vs Manitou Springs, CO

Elizabeth, CO and Manitou Springs, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.3% difference in their overall index. Elizabeth scores 120 while Manitou Springs scores 115 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Elizabeth is $1,526/month compared to $1,175/month in Manitou Springs — a 30% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Manitou Springs has cheaper rent, Elizabeth actually has lower median home values ($444,000 vs $545,800).

Median household income in Elizabeth is $110,227 compared to $76,550 in Manitou Springs (+44%). While Elizabeth is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Elizabeth spend roughly 16.6% of their income on rent, less than the 18.4% in Manitou Springs.