Cost of Living in Golden
Mountain town that's still in the metro
What it costs to live in Golden
Adjust the sliders for your situation. Ranges reflect uncertainty in HOA and metro district fees, narrower is more confident.
Based on your inputs below
Assumes 20% down, 30-year fixed at 6.5% (as of 2026-04-22).
Housing$5,047 – $5,447 | |
|---|---|
| Mortgage (6.5%, 20% down) | $4,298 |
| Property tax | $432 |
| HOA | $0 – $200 |
| Insurance | $317 |
| Metro district fees | not yet verified |
Transportation$569 | |
|---|---|
| Car payments (your input) | $500 |
| Gas (~25 min to downtown) | $69 |
Utilities$345 | |
|---|---|
| Electric & gas (Xcel Energy) | $205 |
| Water (City of Golden Water Utilities) | $70 |
| Internet | $70 |
Groceries$650 | |
|---|---|
| Monthly estimate | $650 |
Housing figures updated April 2026. Confidence: low.
car-dependent overall
Housing Market
- Median Home Price
- ~$850K
- Data Year
- 2026
Tax Rates
- Property Tax Rate
- ~90.8 mills total (city 18.34 mills + county + school + special districts)
- Sales Tax Rate
- 8.0% combined (city 3.5% + county 0.5% + state 2.9% + special 1.1%)
- Vehicle Registration
- Standard Colorado
- State Income Tax Impact
- 4.4% flat
- Cost of Living vs National
- 25% above national average, housing is the primary driver
Monthly Costs
- Water Provider
- City of Golden Water Utilities
- Electric & Gas
- Xcel Energy
- Internet Providers
- Comcast/Xfinity, CenturyLink/Lumen
- Trash & Recycling
- City of Golden services
Income & Cost Context
- Cost of Living Index
- 25% above national average (Salary.com 2026). Housing is the primary driver.
- Avg Childcare Cost
- $1,800 avg full-time (Winnie 2025)
Common QuestionsFAQ, Golden
What is the median home price in Golden?
As of 2026, the median home price in Golden is approximately $850K. The cost of living is 25% above the national average (Salary.com 2026), with housing as the primary driver. Golden’s walkable downtown, proximity to the Colorado School of Mines, and mountain access contribute to the premium.
What is the cost of living in Golden?
Golden’s cost of living is 25% above the national average, with housing as the primary driver. The total property tax rate is approximately 90.8 mills (city 18.34 mills plus county, school, and special districts). The combined sales tax rate is 8.0% (city 3.5% + county 0.5% + state 2.9% + special 1.1%). Colorado’s flat state income tax rate is 4.4%.
Estimates for informational purposes only, not financial advice. Actual costs vary by specific property, subdivision, and household.