Cost of Living in Colorado
Based on 3 cities we track in Colorado.
Cost of living in Colorado is shaped mostly by rent across the 3 cities we track there. A one-bedroom apartment runs around $1,305 a month — 10% higher than the $1,191 median across the 28 states we track.
Median household income across those cities is $85,364, 19% higher than the $71,716 median across the states we track. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.
State Medians
Median 1BR Rent
$1,305
Median Home Value
$586,700
Median Income
$85,364
Avg Temperature
50.2°F
Medians across the Colorado cities we track — not a statewide population-weighted figure.
State Taxes
State Sales Tax
2.9%
State Income Tax (top rate)
Up to 4.40%
Cities in Colorado
Compare Colorado with
Colorado cost of living — FAQ
- Is Colorado expensive to live in?
- Colorado is on the pricier side of the 28 states we track. Its median one-bedroom rent of $1,305 ranks #10 of 28 and is 10% higher than the $1,191 median.
- What is the average rent in Colorado?
- Across the 3 cities we track in Colorado, average rent runs a studio around $1,248, a one-bedroom around $1,305, a two-bedroom around $1,958, a three-bedroom around $2,269 per month (US Census ACS).
- What is the median home price in Colorado?
- The median home value across the cities we track in Colorado is $586,700 — 85% higher than the $317,950 median across the states we track.
- Does Colorado have a state income tax?
- Yes — Colorado's top state income tax rate is 4.40% (most filers pay less than the top rate). Its state sales tax rate is 2.9%; local jurisdictions may add more.
- How much do you need to earn to live in Colorado?
- To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,305 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year. Median household income across the cities we track in Colorado is $85,364.
Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).