Cost of Living Comparison
Cost of living varies dramatically by community. We ranked every community by cost of living index (national average = 100) so you can find communities that match your budget.
61 communities · 9 regions
Rankings
Community Comparison
| # | Community | Median Price | CoL Index | Property Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodland Park Colorado Springs | $495K–$525K | Roughly at national average (ERI: -1%) | Teller County rates — generally lower than El Paso | Teller County + Woodland Park city + state |
| 2 | Loveland Northern Colorado | $475K–$540K | ~5% above national average | ~0.58% | 7.65% |
| 3 | Greeley Northern Colorado | $413K–$425K | ~5% below national average | ~0.65% (Weld County — varies by district) | 6.51% (lower than many CO cities) |
| 4 | Severance Northern Colorado | $497K–$520K | ~5% above national average | ~0.55% + metro districts | 6.4% (Weld County advantage) |
| 5 | Johnstown Northern Colorado | $494K–$508K | ~5% above national average | ~0.55–0.65% (varies by county side) | 7.25% |
| 6 | Wellington Northern Colorado | $460K–$471K | ~5% above national average | ~0.50–0.55% | 7.4% |
| 7 | Aurora East Metro | $450K–$459K | Housing 5% below national average; utilities 13% below | Median annual bill ~$2,902 (varies by county — Arapahoe, Adams, or Douglas) | 8.0% combined (state 2.9% + county + city 3.25%) |
| 8 | Monument Colorado Springs | $593K–$694K | 6% below national average (ERI) | Median ~$4,035/yr (Livability) | El Paso County + Monument town tax + state |
| 9 | Beulah Pueblo | $327K–$360K | 6% below national average (Salary.com 2026) | Pueblo County rates — lower than metro Denver | — |
| 10 | Windsor Northern Colorado | $574K–$648K | ~8% above national average | ~0.55–0.65% (Weld County) | 7.1% |
| 11 | Berthoud Northern Colorado | $590K–$625K | ~8% above national average | ~0.55% | 7.4% |
| 12 | Fort Collins Northern Colorado | $535K–$577K | ~10% above national average | ~0.55% | 7.55% (city 3.85%) |
| 13 | Morrison West Metro | $710K–$870K | 11% above national average | — | Morrison town tax + Jefferson County + state |
| 14 | Timnath Northern Colorado | $687K–$724K | ~15% above national average | ~0.50–0.55% + metro district overlay ($200–400/mo extra) | 6.7% |
| 15 | Evergreen West Metro | $830K–$878K | 24% above national average (Salary.com 2026). Housing is the primary driver. | ~1.0–1.5% of appraised value (Jeffco). Median tax bill ~$5,010. | Jefferson County rate — no municipal sales tax (unincorporated) |
| 16 | Golden West Metro | ~$850K | 25% above national average (Salary.com 2026). Housing is the primary driver. | ~90.8 mills total (city 18.34 mills + county + school + special districts) | 8.0% combined (city 3.5% + county 0.5% + state 2.9% + special 1.1%) |
| 17 | Wheat Ridge West Metro | ~$615K | 33% above national average (BestPlaces index 132.7). Housing is the primary driver. | ~0.5% effective rate (Jeffco median ~$3,434/yr) | 8.0% combined (city 3.5% + county 0.5% + state 2.9% + special 1.1%) |
| 18 | Erie Boulder Area | $710K–$740K | ~36% above national average (housing-driven) | Boulder County side: ~0.55–0.58%. Weld County side: ~0.77% (metro districts add more) | 3.5% (town portion, collected by state) |
| 19 | Pueblo Pueblo | $257K–$295K | 89–93 (national avg = 100); housing index 69 | 0.51%–0.69% effective; median annual bill ~$1,543–$1,811 | 7.6% total (2.9% state + 1% county + 3.7% city) |
| 20 | Watkins East Metro | $400K–$500K | 109–124 (varies by source; housing with acreage and rural goods/services premiums) | ~0.49–0.81% effective (unincorporated Adams/Arapahoe County — varies by parcel) | 4.75% (state 2.9% + Adams County 0.75% + special district 1.1%; no city tax — unincorporated) |
| 21 | Fountain Colorado Springs | $388K–$420K | 110 (BestPlaces; housing 6% below national avg, utilities 21% below, groceries 3% above) | Median ~$2,820/yr (Livability) | El Paso County + Fountain city tax + state |
| 22 | Bennett East Metro | $380K–$450K | 114 (14% above national average; housing affordable but rural premium on goods/services) | ~0.81% effective (Adams County average) | 7.25–7.75% combined (state 2.9% + Adams County 0.75% + Bennett 4.0%) |
| 23 | Strasburg East Metro | $450K–$550K | 121 (21% above national average per BestPlaces; housing with acreage drives cost) | ~0.60–0.81% effective (Adams/Arapahoe County varies by parcel) | 3.25% combined (state 2.9% + county 0.35%; no city sales tax — unincorporated) |
| 24 | Westminster North Metro | ~$520K | 121.3 (21% above national average) | ~0.52% effective (Adams County side) / ~0.51% (Jeffco side) | 9.0% (City 4.25% + State 2.9% + Adams County 0.75% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 25 | Thornton North Metro | $500K–$527K | 121.3 (21% above national average) | ~0.52% effective (Adams County) | 8.5% (City 3.75% + State 2.90% + Adams County 0.75% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 26 | Brighton North Metro | $430K–$480K | 121.3 (21% above national average) | ~0.60% effective (Adams County) | 9.25% (City 4.50% + State 2.90% + Adams County 0.75% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 27 | Commerce City North Metro | $420K–$470K | 121.3 (21% above national average) | ~0.60% effective (Adams County) | 9.25% (City 4.50% + State 2.90% + Adams County 0.75% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 28 | Federal Heights North Metro | $380K–$420K | 121.3 (21% above national average) | ~0.60% effective (Adams County) | 8.75% (City 4.00% + State 2.90% + Adams County 0.75% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 29 | Northglenn North Metro | $440K–$490K | 121.3 (21% above national average) | ~0.60% effective (Adams County) | 8.75% (City 4.00% + State 2.90% + Adams County 0.75% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 30 | Littleton South Metro | $615K–$630K | 123.7 (national avg = 100) | ~0.71%–0.73% effective (varies by county — Arapahoe, Jefferson, or Douglas) | 8.0%–8.75% (state 2.9% + county 0.25%–1.0% + city 3.75% + special 1.1%) |
| 31 | Centennial South Metro | $600K–$680K | 123.7 (national avg = 100); Cherry Creek SD zone commands additional premium | ~0.71% effective (Arapahoe County) | 6.75% (state 2.9% + county 0.25% + city 2.5% + special 1.1%) |
| 32 | Englewood South Metro | $450K–$520K | 123.7 (national avg = 100) | ~0.52% effective (Arapahoe County — below state median) | 8.05% (state 2.9% + county 0.25% + city 3.8% + special 1.1%) |
| 33 | Baker Central Denver | $587K–$626K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective (Denver avg); ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined (state + Denver local, eff. Jan 2025) |
| 34 | Cherry Creek Central Denver | $1.1M–$1.6M | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective (Denver avg); ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined (state + Denver local, eff. Jan 2025) |
| 35 | Five Points Central Denver | $569K–$573K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective; ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined |
| 36 | LoDo Central Denver | $390K–$565K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective; ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined |
| 37 | Platt Park Central Denver | $877K–$918K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective; ~79.2 mills. Estimated ~$4,590/yr on $918K median | 9.15% combined |
| 38 | RiNo Central Denver | $530K–$665K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective; ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined |
| 39 | The Highlands Central Denver | $710K–$752K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective; ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined |
| 40 | Washington Park Central Denver | $1.2M–$1.6M | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective; ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined |
| 41 | Park Hill Central Denver | $500K–$700K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective (Denver avg); ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined (state + Denver local, eff. Jan 2025) |
| 42 | Broomfield North Metro | $580K–$640K | 132.1 (32% above national average) | ~0.55% effective (Broomfield County) | 8.15% (City 4.15% + State 2.90% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 43 | Arvada North Metro | ~$599K | 132.7 (33% above national average) | ~0.68% effective (Jeffco) — city mill levy of 4.31 (among lowest in metro) | 7.96% (City 3.46% + State 2.9% + Jeffco 0.50% + RTD 1.10%) |
| 44 | Nederland Boulder Area | $550K–$700K | 138 (AreaVibes · 38% above national average · housing-driven) | — | Boulder County + Nederland town + state |
| 45 | Boulder Boulder Area | ~$940K+ | 141 (BestPlaces · 41% above national average) | ~0.55–0.60% (varies by taxing district · mill levy ~65–95 total) | 8.845% combined (City 3.86% + State + County + RTD) |
| 46 | Lafayette Boulder Area | $600K–$680K | 141 (BestPlaces · 41% above national average) | — | Boulder County + Lafayette city + state |
| 47 | Longmont Boulder Area | $530K–$580K | 141 (BestPlaces · 41% above national average) | ~0.54% (Boulder County · city mill levy 13.42) | 8.715% combined (City + County + State + special) |
| 48 | Superior Boulder Area | $680K–$780K | 141 (BestPlaces · 41% above national average) | ~0.55% (Boulder County) | 7.96–8.65% combined (Town 3.46% + County + State + special) |
| 49 | Castle Rock South Metro | $623K–$660K | 143.6 (national avg = 100) | ~0.55% effective (Douglas County; mill levy ~66.6 before special districts) | 8.1% (state 2.9% + county 1% + town 4.2%) |
| 50 | Parker South Metro | $655K–$710K | 143.6 (national avg = 100) | ~0.64% effective (Douglas County) | 7.0%–8.0% (state 2.9% + county 1% + town 3.0% + special 0.1%–1.1%) |
| 51 | Highlands Ranch South Metro | $675K–$703K | 143.6 (national avg = 100) | ~0.52%–0.63% effective (Douglas County) | 5.0% minimum (state 2.9% + county 1% + no local city tax — unincorporated) |
| 52 | Castle Pines South Metro | $750K–$950K | 143.6 (national avg = 100) | ~0.67% effective (Douglas County) | 7.75% (state 2.9% + county 1% + city 3.75% + cultural district 0.1%) |
| 53 | Greenwood Village South Metro | $900K–$1.2M | 196 (national avg = 100) — housing index ~414, one of metro Denver's most expensive markets | ~0.58% effective (Arapahoe County); GV mill levy 2.932 — among lowest in metro Denver | 7.25% (state 2.9% + county 0.25% + city 3.0% + special 1.1%) |
| 54 | Conifer West Metro | $735K–$820K | Above national average — housing is the primary driver | ~1.0–1.5% of appraised value (Jeffco) | Jefferson County rate — no municipal tax (unincorporated) |
| 55 | Edgewater West Metro | $563K–$620K | Comparable to Denver — housing is the main cost | Median ~$2,878/yr (Livability) | Edgewater city tax + Jefferson County + state |
| 56 | Lakewood West Metro | $557K–$566K | Below Denver, above national average | Jefferson County — residential assessed at 6.25-7.05% | 7.5% combined |
| 57 | Manitou Springs Colorado Springs | $538K–$675K | Slightly above Colorado Springs average — housing premium for location | — | Manitou Springs city tax + El Paso County + state (~8.25% combined) |
| 58 | Palmer Lake Colorado Springs | $463K–$529K | Below national average for the school quality | El Paso County rates | — |
| 59 | Pueblo West Pueblo | $394K–$397K | Well below Front Range averages — roughly half the housing cost of Denver metro | — | 5.9% total (state 2.9% + Pueblo County 1% + PW Fire 1% + PW Roads 1%) |
| 60 | Louisville Boulder Area | $822K–$841K | Above average — median rent $2,075 | — | 9.12% combined (City 3.775% + State + RTD) |
| 61 | Peyton Colorado Springs | $450K–$550K | $4,800–$5,800/month total cost of living | El Paso County rates — lower than incorporated areas | — |
Common Questions
FAQ — Denver communities
What is a cost of living index?
The cost of living index compares the overall cost of living in a location to the national average (100). A score of 110 means 10% more expensive than average.
What drives cost of living differences?
Housing is the biggest driver. Groceries, utilities, and transportation are closer to national averages in most metro areas.