Living in Colorado: Income, Housing, Taxes & Cost of Living (2026)
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
Table of Contents
Colorado at a Glance
| Metric |
Value |
National Rank |
| Population (2024) |
5.9 million |
21st |
| Median household income |
$87,598 |
8th |
| Median home price |
$530,000 |
Top 15 |
| Cost of living index |
120 (Denver), 105 (Springs) |
Above average |
| State income tax |
4.40% flat |
Below average |
| Sales tax (state + local avg) |
7.77% |
Average |
| Property tax (effective rate) |
0.55% |
13th lowest |
Income in Colorado
| City/Metro Area |
Median Household Income |
Cost of Living Index |
Affordability Rating |
| Boulder |
$88,500 |
135 |
Fair |
| Denver |
$82,000 |
120 |
Fair |
| Fort Collins |
$76,400 |
115 |
Fair |
| Colorado Springs |
$76,200 |
105 |
Good |
| Loveland-Longmont |
$82,500 |
120 |
Fair |
| Castle Rock/Douglas County |
$115,000 |
125 |
Good |
| Grand Junction |
$62,400 |
96 |
Good |
| Pueblo |
$50,100 |
88 |
Good |
| Greeley |
$70,200 |
100 |
Good |
Housing in Colorado
Home Prices by City
| City/Area |
Median Home Price |
Price per Sq Ft |
Median Rent (2BR) |
Price-to-Income |
| Boulder |
$775,000 |
$440 |
$2,200 |
8.8 |
| Denver |
$560,000 |
$325 |
$1,900 |
6.8 |
| Fort Collins |
$520,000 |
$290 |
$1,700 |
6.8 |
| Colorado Springs |
$440,000 |
$230 |
$1,500 |
5.8 |
| Longmont |
$560,000 |
$310 |
$1,800 |
6.8 |
| Grand Junction |
$380,000 |
$210 |
$1,300 |
6.1 |
| Pueblo |
$265,000 |
$150 |
$1,000 |
5.3 |
| Greeley |
$410,000 |
$220 |
$1,400 |
5.8 |
| State Average |
$530,000 |
$280 |
$1,650 |
6.1 |
Mountain Resort Towns (For Context)
| Town |
Median Home Price |
Median Rent (2BR) |
Who Can Afford This |
| Aspen |
$4,500,000+ |
$4,000+ |
Top 1% |
| Vail |
$2,200,000 |
$3,500+ |
Top 2% |
| Telluride |
$2,000,000 |
$3,000+ |
Top 2% |
| Steamboat Springs |
$875,000 |
$2,400 |
Top 10% |
| Breckenridge |
$950,000 |
$2,600 |
Top 10% |
Taxes in Colorado
Flat Income Tax
| Tax |
Rate |
Notes |
| State income tax |
4.40% flat |
All income levels (reduced from 4.55% in 2024) |
| Based on |
Federal taxable income |
Simple to calculate |
| Social Security |
Not taxed (with income limits) |
Exempt if 65+; partial exemption under 65 |
Total Tax Burden
| Gross Income |
Federal Tax |
CO Income Tax |
FICA |
Property Tax ($530K home) |
Effective Rate |
| $75,000 |
$8,115 |
$2,640 |
$5,738 |
$2,915 |
25.9% |
| $100,000 |
$13,615 |
$3,740 |
$7,650 |
$2,915 |
27.9% |
| $150,000 |
$25,915 |
$5,940 |
$10,878 |
$2,915 |
30.4% |
Cost of Living (Denver)
| Category |
Denver Index |
National Average |
Annual Difference |
| Housing |
152 |
100 |
+$8,736 |
| Groceries |
102 |
100 |
+$100 |
| Transportation |
106 |
100 |
+$600 |
| Healthcare |
108 |
100 |
+$400 |
| Utilities |
92 |
100 |
-$320 |
| Overall |
120 |
100 |
+$9,516 |
Affordability Analysis
Income Needed to Live Comfortably
| Household Type |
Denver |
Colorado Springs |
Pueblo |
| Single person |
$65,000 |
$55,000 |
$42,000 |
| Couple |
$98,000 |
$82,000 |
$62,000 |
| Family of 4 |
$130,000 |
$105,000 |
$80,000 |
Colorado Pros and Cons
| Financial Pros |
Financial Cons |
| 8th highest median household income |
Housing prices significantly above average |
| Low 4.40% flat income tax |
Mountain resort areas extremely expensive |
| Low property taxes (0.55%) |
Higher auto insurance costs |
| Strong job market (tech, aerospace, energy) |
Winter heating costs above average |
| TABOR limits tax increases (voter approved) |
Rapid population growth = competition |
| No estate or inheritance tax |
Springs/Denver traffic worsening |
| Outdoor lifestyle (300 days sunshine) |
Wildfire insurance costs rising |
Related: Cost of Living by State | State Income Tax Rates | Property Tax by State | Average Rent by State | Income to Live Comfortably
