Community Guides
Cost of Living Comparison
Denver’s cost of living varies dramatically by community — from Pueblo’s affordable 89 index to Boulder’s 141. We ranked every community by cost of living index (national average = 100) so you can find communities that match your budget.
Comparing 61 communities across 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 | 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%) |
| 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 | Johnstown Northern Colorado | $494K–$508K | ~5% above national average | ~0.55–0.65% (varies by county side) | 7.25% |
| 5 | Loveland Northern Colorado | $475K–$540K | ~5% above national average | ~0.58% | 7.65% |
| 6 | Severance Northern Colorado | $497K–$520K | ~5% above national average | ~0.55% + metro districts | 6.4% (Weld County advantage) |
| 7 | Wellington Northern Colorado | $460K–$471K | ~5% above national average | ~0.50–0.55% | 7.4% |
| 8 | Beulah Pueblo | $327K–$360K | 6% below national average (Salary.com 2026) | Pueblo County rates — lower than metro Denver | — |
| 9 | Monument Colorado Springs | $593K–$694K | 6% below national average (ERI) | Median ~$4,035/yr (Livability) | El Paso County + Monument town tax + state |
| 10 | Berthoud Northern Colorado | $590K–$625K | ~8% above national average | ~0.55% | 7.4% |
| 11 | Windsor Northern Colorado | $574K–$648K | ~8% above national average | ~0.55–0.65% (Weld County) | 7.1% |
| 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 | 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%) |
| 25 | 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%) |
| 26 | 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%) |
| 27 | 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%) |
| 28 | 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%) |
| 29 | 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%) |
| 30 | 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%) |
| 31 | 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%) |
| 32 | 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%) |
| 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 | 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) |
| 38 | 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 |
| 39 | RiNo Central Denver | $530K–$665K | 128 (Denver city-wide — 28% above national average per BestPlaces) | ~0.50% effective; ~79.2 mills | 9.15% combined |
| 40 | 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 |
| 41 | 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 |
| 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 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%) |
| 50 | 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%) |
| 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 | 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%) |
| 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 — Cost of Living Comparison
What is the cost of living in Denver?
Denver’s cost of living index is about 110–128 depending on the neighborhood (national average = 100). Housing is the biggest driver — median home prices range from $280K in Pueblo to $1.4M+ in Boulder and Cherry Creek.
Which Denver suburbs are the most affordable?
Pueblo (CoL 89), Fountain (110), Federal Heights (121), and Commerce City (121) are the most affordable communities in the metro area by cost of living index.
How much are property taxes in Colorado?
Colorado has relatively low property taxes compared to the national average. Effective rates range from 0.49% to 0.73% depending on the county and municipality. Douglas County and Arapahoe County tend to be on the lower end.
What is Colorado’s state income tax?
Colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax rate. There is no local income tax in any Denver metro community. Sales tax varies from 3.25% (unincorporated areas) to 9.25% (some cities).
Is Denver more expensive than other major cities?
Denver is more expensive than the national average but less expensive than San Francisco, New York, Seattle, or Los Angeles. Housing costs are the primary driver — groceries, utilities, and transportation are closer to national averages.