Colorado

Avg COL Index

113

vs. 100 national avg

Where the money goes

The biggest cost pressure in Colorado is car insurance, at 25% above the national average. The biggest break is electricity, at 7% below it.

Rent trend

Rent rose an average of 1.3% over the past year across the 8 cities we track, slower than the 2.7% national change. Colorado Springs saw the biggest move (up 2.9%), while Denver was up just 0.1%.

City to city

Where you live inside Colorado matters. Typical rent runs from $1,320 in Pueblo to $3,111 in Glenwood Springs, a gap of $1,791 a month or about $21,492 a year.

Affordability

Rent, gas, groceries, electricity and car insurance take about 41% of median household income in the counties we track, which ranks near the middle of 51 states. Median household income there averages $89,576 (Census ACS 2023). Groceries are counted at what the average household in the region spends on food at home (BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey).

Energy and driving

Regular gas costs $3.82 a gallon, 4% below the $3.98 national average. A typical electric bill runs about $155 a month versus $166 nationally, and full coverage car insurance averages $2,680 a year versus $2,150.

Groceries

Grocery prices in the West rose 2.4% over the past year (BLS food at home), compared with 1.8% nationally. Item prices on our city pages are national BLS averages, so local stores may be higher or lower.