Cost of Living Comparison
Compare communities on the four numbers that move a household budget the most.
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.
The cost of living index in the table below blends housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare into a single number indexed against the national average (100). Property and sales tax are listed separately because both vary by municipality and special district overlays the index doesn’t capture.
By Jessica Car · Updated May 2026
“Denver’s cost-of-living index can swing thousands of dollars once you factor in metro district mill levies, HOA fees, and Colorado’s quirky property assessment cycle. I’ll break down the true monthly carrying cost of any address — including special-district debt and insurance trends — before you write an offer. I help buyers compare communities on what they’ll actually pay, not just the headline median price.”
Northern Colorado
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| # | Community | Median Price | Cost vs U.S. | Property Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greeley | $413K–$425K | −5% | 0.65% | 6.51% |
| 2 | Johnstown | $494K–$508K | +5% | 0.55%–0.65% | 7.25% |
| 3 | Loveland | $475K–$540K | +5% | 0.58% | 7.65% |
| 4 | Severance | $497K–$520K | +5% | 0.55% | 6.4% |
| 5 | Wellington | $460K–$471K | +5% | 0.50%–0.55% | 7.4% |
| 6 | Berthoud | $590K–$625K | +8% | 0.55% | 7.4% |
| 7 | Windsor | $574K–$648K | +8% | 0.55%–0.65% | 7.1% |
| 8 | Fort Collins | $535K–$577K | +10% | 0.55% | 7.55% |
| 9 | Timnath | $687K–$724K | +15% | 0.50%–0.55% | 6.7% |
Boulder Area
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North Metro
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| # | Community | Median Price | Cost vs U.S. | Property Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brighton | $430K–$480K | +21% | 0.60% | 9.25% |
| 2 | Commerce City | $420K–$470K | +21% | 0.60% | 9.25% |
| 3 | Federal Heights | $380K–$420K | +21% | 0.60% | 8.75% |
| 4 | Northglenn | $440K–$490K | +21% | 0.60% | 8.75% |
| 5 | Thornton | $500K–$527K | +21% | 0.52% | 8.5% |
| 6 | Westminster | ~$520K | +21% | 0.52% | 9.0% |
| 7 | Broomfield | $580K–$640K | +32% | 0.55% | 8.15% |
| 8 | Arvada | ~$599K | +33% | 0.68% | 7.96% |
| 9 | Lochbuie | $480K–$495K | TBD | TBD | 8.9% |
Central Denver
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| # | Community | Median Price | Cost vs U.S. | Property Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baker | $587K–$626K | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 2 | Cherry Creek | $1.1M–$1.6M | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 3 | Five Points | $569K–$573K | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 4 | LoDo | $390K–$565K | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 5 | Park Hill | $500K–$700K | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 6 | Platt Park | $877K–$918K | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 7 | RiNo | $530K–$665K | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 8 | The Highlands | $710K–$752K | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
| 9 | Washington Park | $1.2M–$1.6M | +28% | 0.50% | 9.15% |
West Metro & Foothills
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East Metro
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South Metro
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| # | Community | Median Price | Cost vs U.S. | Property Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centennial | $600K–$680K | +24% | 0.71% | 6.75% |
| 2 | Englewood | $450K–$520K | +24% | 0.52% | 8.05% |
| 3 | Littleton | $615K–$630K | +24% | 0.71%–0.73% | 8.0%–8.75% |
| 4 | Lone Tree | $825K–$965K | +35% | 0.63% | 7.5% |
| 5 | Castle Pines | $750K–$950K | +44% | 0.67% | 7.75% |
| 6 | Castle Rock | $623K–$660K | +44% | 0.55% | 8.1% |
| 7 | Highlands Ranch | $675K–$703K | +44% | 0.52%–0.63% | 5.0% |
| 8 | Parker | $655K–$710K | +44% | 0.64% | 7.0%–8.0% |
| 9 | Greenwood Village | $900K–$1.2M | +96% | 0.58% | 7.25% |
Colorado Springs
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| # | Community | Median Price | Cost vs U.S. | Property Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woodland Park | $495K–$525K | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2 | Monument | $593K–$694K | −6% | TBD | TBD |
| 3 | Fountain | $388K–$420K | +10% | TBD | TBD |
| 4 | Manitou Springs | $538K–$675K | TBD | TBD | 8.25% |
| 5 | Palmer Lake | $463K–$529K | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 6 | Peyton | $450K–$550K | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Pueblo
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| # | Community | Median Price | Cost vs U.S. | Property Tax | Sales Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beulah | $327K–$360K | −6% | TBD | TBD |
| 2 | Pueblo | $257K–$295K | −9% | 0.51%–0.69% | 7.6% |
| 3 | Pueblo West | $394K–$397K | TBD | TBD | 5.9% |
The table above groups every community by region. If you want a flat metro-wide ranking instead, jump to the matching ranking page below.
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.