Cost of Living in Colorado
Updated November 2026 · population 5,862,189
Colorado prices are 3.1% above the US average (index 103.1), ranking 13th most expensive of 51 states and DC; housing is the biggest cost driver at 127.4, and a single adult's modelled budget at state-average prices is about $3,087 a month.
Prices by category
Colorado price index by category, US average = 100: All items 103.1, Housing (rents) 127.4, Goods 98.7, Utilities 85.0, Other services 99.6
| Area | All items |
|---|---|
| Colorado (whole state) | 103.1 |
| Metropolitan areas of Colorado | 103.8 |
| Nonmetropolitan areas of Colorado | 97.5 |
Cities in Colorado
Select a column heading to sort.
| Denver | 718,877 | 107.3 | $3,249 | $6,227 | $1,831 | $616,000 |
| Colorado Springs | 487,887 | 100.9 | $2,876 | $5,641 | $1,648 | $452,600 |
| Aurora | 394,432 | 107.3 | $3,041 | $6,085 | $1,835 | $469,100 |
| Fort Collins | 170,229 | 101.5 | $3,006 | $5,775 | $1,690 | $577,900 |
| Lakewood | 156,583 | 106.9 | $3,250 | $5,980 | $1,806 | $574,400 |
| Thornton | 144,187 | 108.2 | $3,253 | $6,038 | $1,895 | $517,500 |
| Arvada | 122,634 | 108.1 | $3,213 | $6,166 | $1,888 | $632,600 |
| Westminster | 115,484 | 108.0 | $3,271 | $6,276 | $1,882 | $532,400 |
| Pueblo | 111,561 | 92.5 | $2,257 | $4,770 | $1,082 | $247,200 |
| Greeley | 110,806 | 96.1 | $2,609 | $5,221 | $1,388 | $402,500 |
| Centennial | 108,201 | 111.7 | $3,357 | $6,367 | $2,148 | $658,100 |
| Boulder | 106,433 | 109.5 | $3,277 | $6,489 | $2,018 | $1,039,500 |
| Highlands Ranch | 102,257 | 117.0 | $3,610 | $6,762 | $2,531 | $712,700 |
| Longmont | 99,406 | 106.6 | $3,153 | $5,880 | $1,816 | $572,800 |
| Castle Rock | 79,123 | 109.6 | $3,276 | $6,190 | $2,000 | $652,900 |
| Loveland | 78,410 | 102.0 | $3,018 | $5,537 | $1,730 | $479,000 |
| Broomfield | 76,304 | 111.4 | $3,423 | $6,423 | $2,126 | $664,500 |
| Grand Junction | 68,142 | 94.6 | $2,355 | $5,243 | $1,142 | $389,800 |
| Commerce City | 66,445 | 108.0 | $2,602 | $5,791 | $1,880 | $499,700 |
| Parker | 61,783 | 111.0 | $3,355 | $6,530 | $2,096 | $646,300 |
| Littleton | 44,710 | 107.1 | $3,148 | $6,116 | $1,819 | $630,600 |
| Montrose | 21,044 | 96.1 | $2,515 | $4,907 | $1,197 | $387,900 |
| Durango | 19,411 | 101.9 | $2,800 | $5,733 | $1,636 | $668,400 |
| Breckenridge | 4,959 | 103.5 | $3,165 | $5,787 | $1,752 | $1,012,700 |
| Vail resort/outlier | 4,613 | 101.5 | $2,990 | $5,550 | $1,606 | $1,400,700 |
| Pagosa Springs | 2,090 | 95.8 | $2,500 | $4,884 | $1,172 | $374,600 |
Metro areas in Colorado
| Metro area | All items | Housing |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 105.8 | 146.9 |
| Boulder, CO | 105.2 | 157.0 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | 101.1 | 120.6 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 100.7 | 116.2 |
| Greeley, CO | 100.2 | 112.6 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 95.5 | 86.4 |
| Pueblo, CO | 91.8 | 71.3 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for metropolitan statistical areas that include part of Colorado.
Modelled monthly budget at Colorado average prices
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Colorado (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,440 | $17,280 | 47% |
| Utilities | $212 | $2,544 | 7% |
| Food at home | $278 | $3,336 | 9% |
| Transportation | $641 | $7,692 | 21% |
| Health care | $350 | $4,200 | 11% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $166 | $1,992 | 5% |
| Total | $3,087 | $37,044 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Colorado (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,652 | $19,824 | 35% |
| Utilities | $338 | $4,056 | 7% |
| Food at home | $514 | $6,168 | 11% |
| Transportation | $1,269 | $15,228 | 27% |
| Health care | $649 | $7,788 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $326 | $3,912 | 7% |
| Total | $4,748 | $56,976 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Colorado (state average)
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,926 | $23,112 | 33% |
| Utilities | $412 | $4,944 | 7% |
| Food at home | $733 | $8,796 | 13% |
| Transportation | $1,686 | $20,232 | 29% |
| Health care | $605 | $7,260 | 10% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $420 | $5,040 | 7% |
| Total | $5,782 | $69,384 | 100% |
state figures Rents are Census ACS state medians by bedrooms. See the methodology.
Electricity and gas and inflation
Residential electricity
17.17¢/kWh, August 2026
12-month change +5.9% · US 18.16¢
Regular gasoline
$4.07/gal, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change +50.1% · US $4.15
Consumer prices in the West region rose +3.4% over the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%; BLS CPI-U).
Price level history
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 102.5 | 103.8 | 102.8 | 102.3 | 101.9 | 103.1 |
Change over the period: +0.6 points. Each year is measured relative to that year's US average.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado an expensive state to live in?
Colorado has a cost of living index of 103.1 (US = 100), 3.1% above the US average. It ranks 13th of 51 (1 = most expensive). Housing is 127.4 (rank 5), goods 98.7, utilities 85.0 and other services 99.6. Source: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024.
How much does it cost to live in Colorado?
At Colorado state-average prices, our modelled monthly budget is $3,087 for a single adult, $4,748 for a couple and $5,782 for a family of four, before taxes and child care. Costs vary widely within the state: metro areas average 103.8 and nonmetro areas 97.5.
What is the median rent and home value in Colorado?
The median gross rent in Colorado is $1,761 a month and the median home value is $539,400 (Census ACS 2020-2024). The typical renter spends 31.4% of income on rent.
Sources
- BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 (state, state metro and nonmetro portions, MSAs).
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, state 08.
- EIA-861M residential electricity (August 2026); EIA weekly retail gasoline (Colorado, 2026-11-02).
- BLS CPI-U, West region (September 2026).
Budgets are modelled estimates, not observed spending. Not financial advice. Methodology