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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Nobody expects rock-bottom prices in Colorado — but that doesn't mean all cities are equally expensive. Denver (index 113, rent $1,818/mo) carves out real savings within a high-cost market. We analyzed 11 cities to find where your money goes furthest in 2026. That's not nothing.
716,577 residents · Colorado
A closer look at Denver: the cost index of 113 breaks down to a Utilities index of 104 (strongest category) and a Housing index of 133 (weakest). And as far as the data shows, median rent is $1,818/month — 4% below the national median — while household income sits at $91,681, meaning locals spend about 24% of income on rent. That's a healthy margin by any standard.
488,664 residents · Colorado
Colorado Springs earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 107 cost index sits 5 points below the national baseline, and the $83,198 median income means purchasing power here is genuinely above average. Homes list at $446,132 — $21,238 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Utilities leads the way at 98, while Housing trails at 118.
177,563 residents · Colorado
What does daily life actually cost in Aurora? Start with the 24% rent-to-income ratio — that's the kind of margin that lets people build savings. On the category level, Utilities (index 99) is where the real savings show up, while Housing (index 120) is the line item most likely to surprise newcomers. Income at $84,320 and homes at $458,953 round out a profile that ranks #3 for clear reasons (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
170,376 residents · Colorado
Fort Collins is one of the cheaper options here. And in practical terms, rent is $1,970/month, which is lower than most cities in this ranking. The cost index is 117. Income sits at $83,598. That's a reasonable number.
155,961 residents · Colorado
Here's Lakewood by the numbers — and there's a lot to like. Cost index: 114. Rent: $1,733/month. Income: $85,789/year. Home price: $565,592. Population: 155,961. The strongest category is Utilities at 104; the most expensive is Housing at 134. Translate that rent to annual numbers, and residents are saving renters $1,944 per year vs. the national median. Year over year, that savings rate is portfolio-grade.
#1 Ranked: Denver — cost index 113, rent $1,818/mo, income $91,681
4 of 11 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Combined Rate | Income Tax | Sales Tax | Cost Index | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 113 | Details |
| 2 | Colorado Springs | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 107 | Details |
| 3 | Aurora | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 108 | Details |
| 4 | Fort Collins | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 117 | Details |
| 5 | Lakewood | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 114 | Details |
| 6 | Thornton | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 113 | Details |
| 7 | Arvada | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 121 | Details |
| 8 | Westminster | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 112 | Details |
| 9 | Greeley | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 102 | Details |
| 10 | Pueblo | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 94 | Details |
| 11 | Centennial | 12.7% | 4.4% | 7.81% | 122 | Details |
Nobody expects rock-bottom prices in Colorado — but that doesn't mean all cities are equally expensive. Denver (index 113, rent $1,818/mo) carves out real savings within a high-cost market. We analyzed 11 cities to find where your money goes furthest in 2026. That's not nothing.
The #1 spot goes to Denver, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,818/month — saving renters $924 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Utilities is the standout at index 104, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Housing at 133. At a 24% rent-to-income ratio, there's genuine breathing room in the average household budget.
The broader context shifts things: Colorado — outdoor lifestyle with a rising price tag. The 11 cities we track here average a cost index of 111 — for better or worse — and median income of $90,112. It lands right near the national baseline, which makes the differences between individual cities all the more important. The typical rent runs $1,765/month, which is $130 less than the national median.
Bottom line: Denver leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
| City | State Tax | Sales Tax | Property Tax | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1Denver | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
2Colorado Springs | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
3Aurora | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
4Fort Collins | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
5Lakewood | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
6Thornton | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
7Arvada | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
8Westminster | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
9Greeley | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
10Pueblo | 4.4% | 7.81% | 0.49% | $65,411 |
We combine state income tax rate, combined sales tax (state + local), and effective property tax rate into a total tax burden score. Cities are ranked by this combined metric — lower is better for your wallet. All data is sourced from federal agencies and verified research institutions. Cost of living indices are normalized to 100 (national median) using Zillow rent as the primary signal, with sub-category adjustments derived from regional BLS price data. Rankings are updated monthly as new data is released.
Denver ranks #1 in Colorado for this analysis with a cost index of 113 and median income of $91,681.
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Denver (ranked #1) has a cost index of 113 and rent of $1,818/mo, while Centennial (ranked #11) has a cost index of 122 and rent of $2,056/mo — a 9-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Denver is $1,818/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $77 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Denver is $530,920, which is 5.8× the local median income. Most median-income households would stretch to buy at this ratio. The national median home price is $467,370.
Colorado has a 4.4% state income tax rate. Combined state and local sales tax averages 7.81%, and the effective property tax rate is 0.49%.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.