Nova55Living › Colorado Springs › Moving from California
California retirees moving to Colorado Springs typically save on income tax, can buy a significantly larger home with California equity, and trade fire/earthquake risk for hail risk. Here is the honest math.
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Talk to a Specialist →| Income | California Rate | Colorado Rate | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $80K total retirement income | ~$4,000–$5,500 (varies) | ~$1,760–$2,464 (after subtraction) | ~$1,500–$3,000 |
| $120K total retirement income | ~$7,500–$10,000 | ~$3,000–$4,000 | ~$4,000–$6,000 |
| CA top rate (income over $1M) | 13.3% | 4.40% | Significant |
CA rates vary by income bracket; CO rate is 4.40% flat. Estimates use CO pension subtraction for 65+ retirees.
A California retiree selling a home in the Bay Area, San Diego, or Los Angeles at $1.2M–$2M+ can buy The Retreat at Banning Lewis Ranch’s top-tier homes at $800K–$900K and bank $300K–$1.1M in equity. That freed capital is the most powerful retirement planning tool California homeowners have — and it requires moving somewhere with materially lower home prices. Colorado Springs is one of the few places that offers genuine quality of life at a fraction of California’s cost.
We connect buyers with agents who know this market from the inside — real cost math, honest comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder. No scripts, no pressure.
California’s Prop 13 caps assessment increases at 2%/year for existing owners — meaning long-term California homeowners often pay very low effective rates on their current home. When they sell and buy in Colorado Springs, they reset to El Paso County’s standard rate of ~0.47%. This is almost always lower than a new California purchase would be. The property tax story is a win for California movers.
Connect with a specialist who knows this market from the inside — real cost math, honest community comparisons, and what's actually happening right now. Every agent is personally vetted by the Nova55Living founder.
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