Hot off the press: Colorado Springs CO real estate has been voted some of the most well priced real estate in the country!

In a survey of millions of readers across the country, Colorado Springs was voted the single best large city to live in for the year 2006. In fact, there are 3 cities across the Colorado front range (the area East of the Rocky Mountains) that share a similar trait -- being nestled right up against the beautiful Rocky Mountains -- Boulder CO, Fort Collins CO, and Colorado Springs. This common trait has won each of these cities many accolades, which has reflected well on each city respectively and each of their abilities to retain excellent real estate values.

Colorado Springs' beginnings were in the mid nineteenth century when gold was discovered in the Pikes Peak region. As more and more individuals were striking it rich, General William Palmer saw a need for a resort community. In 1871, he founded Colorado Springs and the Antlers Hotel with that in mind. The beauty of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods quickly made the area one of the most traveled to locations in the United States, which suited General Palmer's resort hotel and his railroad -- the Rio Grande -- quite well. In the late nineteenth century, more gold was discovered around Cripple Creek, and Colorado Springs grew even more rapidly.

Soon after World War II, Colorado Springs began to expand as a military region when Fort Carson was established. Later, during the Korean War, another military base -- Peterson Air Force Base was established, and in 1953, Eisenhower decided on Colorado Springs as the location of one of only 5 major military Academies -- the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). In 1963, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) was built inside Cheyenne Mountain, and Colorado Springs' reputation as an old gold miner's town, was replaced with a reputation of being a military town. Finally, Schriever Air Force Base was established in 1983. All 3 military bases continue to grow due to growing homeland security concerns, the central location within the United States, and proximity to NORAD. Of course, this military expansion is a large part of Colorado Springs' rapid rate of population growth.

Travel the world's highest paved highway to the top of Pikes peak.

Visit Garden of the Gods - one of Colorado's true natural wonders.

Visit Cave of the Winds - tours daily.

Attend a USAFA football game or Colorado College Hockey Game.

Shopping at the Castle Rock outlets (about 30 minutes North of Springs)

Visit Cripple Creek

Every Colorado Springs visitor should treat themselves to a stay at the Broadmoor Resort Hotel at least once. Be sure to ask your Benchmark agent for a preferred rate!

With the presence of the Air Force Academy, and 3 military bases, the government is Colorado Springs' largest employer. Other large employers include Hewlett Packard, Worldcom, Amtel, and Intel. The average household income in Colorado springs is just over $60,000, which is slightly below the national average, but the low cost of living index, and absolute beauty of the town, more than makes up for it.

With a population of about 370,000 within the city limits and over 148,000 housing units, Colorado Springs real estate choices are plentiful. At any given time, you can find between 2100 and 2600 homes for sale. Expand your search to the cities on the outskirts of Colorado Springs, and you'll have an inventory of more than 5000 homes to choose from! Depending on the section of town you're looking in, average home prices vary between $145,000 in Southeast Colorado Springs, and $525,000 in Southwest Springs. The city itself is such a large area with such a wide variety of housing options, the Colorado Springs MLS divides the city into 7 sub-areas! Housing choices vary from Colorado Springs condos in the low $100,000 range to custom homes nestled in the foothills that are priced well into the millions. To find what Colorado Springs CO homes fit your specific needs, simply select the cities you are interested in on this page, and hit the "continue" button.