Cost of Living in Pagosa Springs, CO
Updated November 2026 · Archuleta County · population 2,090
Pagosa Springs has fewer than 2,500 residents, so Census survey figures for it have wide margins of error. Figures marked “wide margin” are shown but not used for ratings or estimates.
Prices in Pagosa Springs are 4.2% below the US average (local index 95.8; the BEA index for nonmetropolitan Colorado is 97.5), with utilities the biggest saving at 81.6; a single adult's modelled budget is about $2,500 a month and the median rent is $1,172.
Prices by category
CostLiving local estimate. 100 = US average; 110 means prices are 10% higher. Housing reflects Pagosa Springs's own median rent compared with the area's average rent; goods, utilities and other services are BEA's official price parities for nonmetropolitan Colorado, unchanged.
Pagosa Springs price index by category, US average = 100: All items 95.8, Housing (rents) 85.2, Goods 96.1, Utilities 81.6, Other services 99.8
It is the 24th most expensive of the 26 Colorado cities in our data. Cheaper than 72% of the cities we cover.
| BEA index | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 97.4 | 94.8 | 93.9 | 95.7 | 96.9 | 97.5 |
Monthly budget by household type
1 adult · 1-bedroom · modelled estimate for Pagosa Springs, CO
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $903 | $10,836 | 36% |
| Utilities | $207 | $2,484 | 8% |
| Food at home | $271 | $3,252 | 11% |
| Transportation | $606 | $7,272 | 24% |
| Health care | $351 | $4,212 | 14% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $162 | $1,944 | 6% |
| Total | $2,500 | $30,000 | 100% |
2 adults · 2-bedroom · modelled estimate for Pagosa Springs, CO
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,029 | $12,348 | 26% |
| Utilities | $330 | $3,960 | 8% |
| Food at home | $500 | $6,000 | 12% |
| Transportation | $1,199 | $14,388 | 30% |
| Health care | $650 | $7,800 | 16% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $320 | $3,840 | 8% |
| Total | $4,028 | $48,336 | 100% |
2 adults + 2 children · 3-bedroom · modelled estimate for Pagosa Springs, CO
| Category | Per month | Per year | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $1,158 | $13,896 | 24% |
| Utilities | $401 | $4,812 | 8% |
| Food at home | $713 | $8,556 | 15% |
| Transportation | $1,594 | $19,128 | 33% |
| Health care | $606 | $7,272 | 12% |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $412 | $4,944 | 8% |
| Total | $4,884 | $58,608 | 100% |
Modelled estimate of basic costs, excluding taxes, child care and savings. Housing is rent excluding tenant-paid utilities (counted under utilities). See how the budget is calculated.
Housing costs in Pagosa Springs
Rent by number of bedrooms
| Size | Median rent |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,035 modelled from city median rent |
| 1 bedroom | $1,024 modelled from city median rent |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,167 modelled from city median rent |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,314 modelled from city median rent |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,623 modelled from city median rent |
Median rent: Census ACS 2020-2024 median gross rent by bedrooms (rent plus tenant-paid utilities, all renters).
Rent, home values and affordability
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,172 |
| Median contract rent (excl. utilities) | $1,033 |
| Median home value | $374,600 |
| Owner costs with a mortgage | $1,742/mo |
| Median household income | $50,785 |
| Rent as % of renter income Expensive | 32.4% |
| Home value ÷ household income Very expensive | 7.4× |
Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024.
Electricity and gas prices
Residential electricity in Colorado
17.17¢ per kWh, August 2026
12-month change: +5.9% (from 16.21¢) · US 18.16¢
Average household uses 679 kWh a month in Colorado ≈ $113/month. Source: EIA-861M (statewide average).
Regular gasoline
$4.07 per gallon, week of 2026-11-02
12-month change: +50.1% (from $2.71) · US $4.15
EIA weekly retail price survey.
Inflation in the West
Consumer prices in the West Census region rose +3.4% in the 12 months to September 2026 (US +3.7%). Nationally, food at home changed +1.8%, shelter +3.2% and energy +20.4%. Source: BLS CPI-U, not seasonally adjusted. CPI is published for regions and large metro areas, so the regional figure is shown.
Salary equivalent
Because prices in Pagosa Springs are 4.2% below the US average, $60,000 here has the buying power of about $62,600 in an average-priced US area.
Formula: US-equivalent = salary × 100 ÷ 95.8. Based on the local cost index (CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP and Census rents); taxes not included.
Nearby cities
| City | Distance | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durango, CO | 48 mi | 101.9 | $2,800 | $1,636 |
| Montrose, CO | 95 mi | 96.1 | $2,515 | $1,197 |
Cities with a similar cost of living
| City | Index | Budget (single) | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murfreesboro, TN | 95.8 | $2,750 | $1,481 |
| Wilmington, NC | 95.8 | $2,703 | $1,395 |
| Blacksburg, VA | 95.7 | $2,611 | $1,359 |
| Cheektowaga, NY | 95.8 | $2,413 | $1,055 |
| Norfolk, VA | 95.9 | $2,577 | $1,321 |
| Buffalo, NY | 95.7 | $2,474 | $1,046 |
Compare Pagosa Springs with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Pagosa Springs, CO an expensive place to live?
Pagosa Springs has a local cost of living index of 95.8, which is 4.2% below the US average. This CostLiving estimate starts from the BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for nonmetropolitan Colorado (97.5) and adjusts housing to Pagosa Springs's own rents. It is 7.3 points below the Colorado average. It is the 24th most expensive of the 26 Colorado cities in our data. Cheaper than 72% of the cities we cover.
How much money do you need to live in Pagosa Springs?
Our modelled estimate of basic monthly costs is $2,500 for a single adult, $4,028 for a couple and $4,884 for a family of four, before taxes, child care and savings. A $60,000 salary in an average-priced US area buys about the same as $57,500 in Pagosa Springs.
What is the average rent in Pagosa Springs?
The median gross rent (rent plus tenant-paid utilities) is $1,172 a month (Census ACS 2020-2024). By size: 1 bedroom $1,024, 2 bedrooms $1,167, 3 bedrooms $1,314. The typical renter spends 32.4% of household income on rent (expensive).
How much does a house cost in Pagosa Springs?
The median owner-estimated home value is $374,600, 7.4 times the median household income of $50,785 (very expensive). Owners with a mortgage pay a median $1,742 a month in housing costs.
How much is electricity and gas in Pagosa Springs?
Colorado residential electricity averaged 17.17¢ per kWh in August 2026 (US 18.16¢). Regular gasoline was $4.07 a gallon (Colorado average, week of 2026-11-02).
Sources and notes
- Local cost index: CostLiving estimate from BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for Colorado nonmetropolitan portion (BEA index 97.5) with housing from Census ACS median rent (city figure); see the methodology.
- Rents, home values, income, population: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year 2020-2024, Census place 0856860 (Pagosa Springs town).
- Electricity: EIA-861M, Colorado residential average, August 2026.
- Gasoline: EIA weekly retail regular gasoline, Colorado, week of 2026-11-02.
- Inflation: BLS CPI-U West region, September 2026.
- Budget baselines: BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey 2025; electricity use by household size: EIA RECS 2020.
- BEA area index: state nonmetro figure (not in any metro or micropolitan area).
- Rents by bedrooms: modelled from city median rent (city bedroom medians: 1-3 bedroom estimate missing).
Labels such as “county figure” or “state nonmetro figure” mark values that come from a larger area because the city-level figure is unavailable or unreliable. The monthly budget is a modelled estimate, not observed spending, and excludes taxes. This page is for general information and is not financial advice. Methodology · All sources