Cost of Living in Colorado
Living in Colorado typically carries a premium due to its high demand and proximity to the Rocky Mountains. While urban centers like Denver and Boulder are significantly more expensive, the state offers a high quality of life that attracts a consistent influx of new residents.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
Popular cities in Colorado: Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in Colorado. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$1,450 – $2,400
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment, ranging from rural areas to Denver's city center.
Food & Groceries
$450 – $650
Monthly grocery expenses and moderate dining out at local restaurants.
Transportation
$250 – $450
Costs for public transit (RTD), fuel, and vehicle maintenance.
Utilities
$220 – $350
Basic utilities including electricity, heating, water, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare
$350 – $600
Typical monthly healthcare premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
Entertainment & Lifestyle
$200 – $500
Gym memberships, ski passes, and recreational mountain activities.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for Colorado. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $1,450 – $2,400
Estimate: $450 – $650
Estimate: $250 – $450
Estimate: $220 – $350
Estimate: $350 – $600
Estimate: $200 – $500
Yearly: $3,935 × 12 = $47,220. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in Colorado, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about Colorado
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.