Colorado Cost of Living Calculator
Colorado scores 102.7 on the C2ER cost of living index (housing 108.6, Q2 2026): $75,000 at the U.S. average equals about $77,025 here; its highest part is housing at 108.6.
| Index | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Composite (sets the equivalent salary) | 102.7 |
| Housing (sets the equivalent rent) | 108.6 |
| Groceries | 101.1 |
| Utilities | 85.4 |
| Transportation | 97.5 |
| Health care | 101.8 |
| Other goods and services | 104.2 |
Source: MERIC Cost of Living Data Series, C2ER (https://meric.mo.gov/data/cost-living-data-series).
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Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index)
Additional Details
Pre-filled: MERIC (C2ER Cost of Living Index, Housing component)
Equivalent Salary Needed
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Salary Difference
$2,025.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
Colorado's figures fill the destination side: composite 102.7 for the salary, housing 108.6 for the rent, and 4.4% flat for the tax line.
How the salary, rent and tax lines are worked out (the same for every state)
Key State Information
Colorado ranks 18th highest of the 50 states on the composite index (102.7). Median household income: $97,113 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, table B19013). Statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (HUD FY2027): $1,944 a month.
What Colorado's index does to a salary and a rent
| Salary at the U.S. average | Same buying power in Colorado | Rent at the U.S. average → in Colorado | Colorado income tax on that salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $51,350 | $1,000 → $1,086 | $1,566 (3.1%) |
| $75,000 | $77,025 | $1,500 → $1,629 | $2,696 (3.5%) |
| $100,000 | $102,700 | $2,000 → $2,172 | $3,826 (3.7%) |
| $150,000 | $154,050 | $2,500 → $2,715 | $6,085 (4.0%) |
Colorado 2026 single-filer rates, after Colorado Department of Revenue — Individual Income Tax Guide (January 2026), Part 2 and "Federal itemized or standard deductions" (tax year 2025).
Colorado and the states it borders
| State | Its composite / housing | $75,000 there = in Colorado | $1,500 rent there = in Colorado | $75,000 in Colorado = there | Income tax there → here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 87.1 / 78.7 | $88,433 | $2,070 | $63,608 | 5.58% top rate → 4.4% flat |
| Nebraska | 90.1 / 76.5 | $85,488 | $2,129 | $65,798 | 4.55% top rate → 4.4% flat |
| New Mexico | 90.2 / 82.4 | $85,394 | $1,977 | $65,871 | 5.9% top rate → 4.4% flat |
| Oklahoma | 83.0 / 65.1 | $92,801 | $2,502 | $60,613 | 4.5% top rate → 4.4% flat |
| Utah | 98.4 / 102.9 | $78,277 | $1,583 | $71,860 | 4.45% flat → 4.4% flat |
| Wyoming | 94.4 / 88.5 | $81,594 | $1,841 | $68,939 | none on wages → 4.4% flat |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Colorado?
Colorado's composite index is 102.7 for Q2 2026, the 18th highest of the 50 states. A $75,000 salary at the national average buys what about $77,025 buys in Colorado.
Which prices are highest and lowest in Colorado?
Against a U.S. average of 100, Colorado's highest part is housing (108.6) and its lowest is utilities (85.4); housing, groceries, health care and other goods and services are above the national average, the other two at or below it (C2ER, Q2 2026).
What salary keeps a two-bedroom rent in Colorado at 30% of income?
About $77,760 a year: Colorado's FY2027 statewide two-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,944 a month, and $23,328 a year is 30% of that salary.