Colorado Springs home prices have climbed considerably over the past several years, and for military families working within BAH budgets, that pressure has started pushing housing searches outside the city limits. The good news is that some of the best value in the region isn't in Colorado Springs proper — it's in the smaller towns surrounding it, many of which offer more land, newer construction, lower prices, and commute times to the bases that are more manageable than you'd expect. Here's a look at the towns worth knowing about.
Monument — Best for Air Force Academy and Peterson Families
Monument sits about 15 miles north of Colorado Springs on I-25 and has become one of the most popular alternatives to the city for Air Force Academy and Peterson SFB families. It's a small town with genuine character — an actual downtown, locally owned restaurants, and a community feel that's distinctly different from the suburban sprawl further south. Home prices in Monument tend to run more favorable than comparable square footage in north Colorado Springs neighborhoods, and the schools fall under Lewis-Palmer District 38, which is consistently well-rated. The commute to the Academy's north gate is about 20 to 25 minutes on I-25, which is reasonable for families who want more space and a quieter pace in exchange for a slightly longer drive. For Peterson SFB families, Monument is further out but still accessible via I-25 — expect 30 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Falcon — Best for Schriever Families and Value Buyers
Falcon sits east of Colorado Springs along Highway 24 and has seen consistent growth over the past decade as buyers looking for more square footage at lower price points have moved further from the city core. It falls under Falcon School District 49, which has improved meaningfully in recent years and now offers newer facilities and growing programs. For Schriever SFB families specifically, Falcon's eastern location actually shortens the commute compared to living in central Colorado Springs — Schriever is about 20 minutes east of Falcon on Highway 24. New construction is more readily available here than in most in-city neighborhoods, and lot sizes tend to run larger. The tradeoff is that Falcon is further from downtown amenities and the urban core of Colorado Springs, so daily convenience requires more planning.
Fountain — Best for Fort Carson Families on a Budget
Fountain isn't just a suburb of Colorado Springs — it's a real town with its own identity, downtown businesses, community events, and a genuine sense of place that distinguishes it from the more generic subdivisions in the area. It sits directly south of Fort Carson, which makes commutes to most base gates quick and predictable. Home prices in Fountain consistently run below the Colorado Springs median, which is meaningful for junior enlisted families trying to keep housing costs within their BAH. Master-planned communities like Lorson Ranch offer newer construction with community amenities at price points that work for more buyers than central city neighborhoods do. For families who want to buy rather than rent and need the math to work within their allowance, Fountain is frequently the answer.
Pueblo West — Best for Remote Workers and Investors
Pueblo West sits about 45 minutes south of Fort Carson and is genuinely underrated as a housing market for military families with flexibility in their work situation — spouses who work remotely, service members with desk assignments that offer some schedule flexibility, or investors looking for strong rental yield relative to purchase price. Home prices in Pueblo West are significantly lower than Colorado Springs, lot sizes are large, and the town has grown considerably in recent years with improving amenities. It's not practical for daily commuting to most Colorado Springs installations, but for the right family in the right situation, the value proposition is hard to ignore. Investors who bought in Pueblo West several years ago have seen meaningful appreciation as the market has expanded.
What to Consider Before Looking Outside Colorado Springs
Before you extend your search to surrounding towns, a few things are worth thinking through clearly. Commute time at your actual report hour matters more than distance on a map — 30 miles on a clear highway at 6am is different from 30 miles through town at 7:30am. School district quality varies significantly between these communities and doesn't always correlate with home prices — do the research on your specific grade levels before you commit to an address. And if you're buying with the intention of renting when you PCS out, the rental market in smaller surrounding towns is thinner than in Colorado Springs proper — fewer incoming military families will be looking in Falcon or Pueblo West compared to the south corridor near Fort Carson. Run the full analysis before you let price per square foot be the only factor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What small towns near Colorado Springs are good for military families?
Monument is popular for Air Force Academy and Peterson SFB families. Falcon works well for Schriever SFB families and value buyers. Fountain is the best budget-friendly option for Fort Carson families. Pueblo West offers significant value for remote workers and investors willing to accept a longer commute.
Is Monument CO a good place to live for military families?
Yes. Monument offers Lewis-Palmer D38 schools, a genuine small-town feel, favorable home prices compared to north Colorado Springs, and a manageable commute to the Air Force Academy and Peterson SFB via I-25.
How far is Falcon Colorado from Schriever Space Force Base?
Falcon is approximately 20 minutes west of Schriever SFB on Highway 24, making it one of the more practical locations for Schriever families who want newer construction at lower price points than central Colorado Springs.
Are home prices lower in towns surrounding Colorado Springs?
Yes. Fountain, Falcon, Monument, and Pueblo West all offer lower median home prices than comparable properties inside Colorado Springs city limits. The tradeoff is typically longer commutes, fewer amenities, and thinner rental markets for investors.
Should I consider buying outside Colorado Springs during my PCS?
It depends on your installation, your commute tolerance, your school district priorities, and whether you plan to hold the property as a rental when you leave. Smaller surrounding towns offer real value but require more research upfront to make sure the tradeoffs work for your specific situation.
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