Cost of Living in Colorado: Cities where Household Expenses are Highest and Lowest in 2024
What is the cost of living in Colorado? doxo breaks down key insights about Colorado’s household expenses, with a close look into how bills differ between towns and cities across the state.
According to doxo’s The Cost of Bills Index™ (COBI), the average household in Colorado pays $2,553 in monthly expenses. doxoINSIGHTS compares the cost of the ten most common household bills across different regions. This includes Utilities, Cable & Phone, Mobile Phone, Auto Loans, Auto Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Alarm & Security, Rent, and Mortgage.
The data sheds light on Florida’s cost of living through other metrics as well. For example, the “percent of household income” data point shows what percentage of their household income residents spend on bills each month.
By leveraging these tools, residents can gain a clearer understanding of their household expenses and optimize their financial planning.
Colorado ranks as the 9th most expensive state in the US for household bills
According to doxo’s COBI report, Colorado is ranked as the 9th most expensive state in the U.S. for household bills, making it the least expensive state for these expenses.
At $30,637 per year, Colorado’s household expenses, on average, are 20% higher than the US average of $25,513.
Absolute dollar amounts don’t tell the full story, however. doxo’s “Percentage of Household Income” data provides a more proportional look at bill spending in a particular location. Colorado households spend 34% of their income on bills.
COBI helps consumers understand how much it costs to live in one area as compared to another as it relates to the most common household bills. For COBI, the number 100 represents the national average and then, states, counties and cities are assigned a number, either above or below 100, based on how they compare to the national average. The COBI for Colorado is 120.
- Average Bill Cost per Household: $2,553 per month
- Cost of Bills Index (COBI): 120
- doxoINSIGHTS State Rank: #9
- Percent of Household Income Used for Bills: 34%
- Compared to the National Average: 20% higher
Colorado Household Bill Expenses are 20% Higher than the National Average
The average Colorado household pays $2,553 in the 10 most common household bills per month. The least expensive of these are alarm and security bills.
On the lowest end of the spectrum, the average monthly payment for alarm and security bills in Colorado is $84, compared to the national average of $85, making it approximately 1% lower than the average.
Monthly mortgage bills are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Colorado residents. The average monthly mortgage payment is $1,925, compared to the national average of $1,402, making it 37% more expensive.
Other than housing-related expenses, auto loans are the most significant of the 10 most common bills for Colorado residents. The average auto loan bill in Colorado is $556 a month, which is more than the national average of $496.
Average Colorado Household Bill Spending
| Bill Category | Average Colorado Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill | Colorado Percent +/- National Average ($2,126) |
| Mortgage | $1,925 | $1,402 | 37% higher |
| Rent | $1,580 | $1,300 | 22% higher |
| Auto Loan | $556 | $496 | 12% higher |
| Utilities | $328 | $362 | 9% lower |
| Auto Insurance | $211 | $209 | 1% higher |
| Cable & Internet | $127 | $122 | 4% higher |
| Health Insurance | $150 | $114 | 32% higher |
| Mobile Phone | $123 | $121 | 2% higher |
| Alarm & Security | $84 | $85 | 1% lower |
| Life Insurance | $100 | $87 | 15% higher |
| Total | $2,553 | $2,126 | 20% higher |
Avon has the highest cost of living in Colorado for household bills
Residents of Avon pay the highest household bills in the state of Colorado, at an average of $3,339 per month. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Avon is 157, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 57% higher than the national average.
In proportion to household income, monthly bills in Avon makeup 41% of the average annual household income of $97,054.
Access detailed infographics about each city or town by clicking on the hyperlinks in the “City” column in the tables below. You can also browse doxoINSIGHTS’ regional bill comparison database to see infographics about more than 4,200 cities and towns across all 50 states in the US.
10 Most Expensive Colorado Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 1 | Avon | $97,054 | $3,339 | 157 | 57% higher | 41% |
| 2 | Erie | $150,774 | $3,250 | 153 | 53% higher | 26% |
| 3 | Parker | $135,611 | $3,144 | 148 | 48% higher | 28% |
| 4 | Carbondale | $98,549 | $3,109 | 146 | 46% higher | 38% |
| 5 | Louisville | $139,412 | $3,097 | 146 | 46% higher | 27% |
| 6 | Thornton | $105,565 | $3,068 | 144 | 44% higher | 35% |
| 7 | Evergreen | $145,901 | $3,029 | 142 | 42% higher | 25% |
| 8 | Elizabeth | $132,739 | $3,025 | 142 | 42% higher | 27% |
| 9 | Arvada | $104,583 | $3,014 | 142 | 42% higher | 35% |
| 10 | Englewood | $103,885 | $2,991 | 141 | 41% higher | 35% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Delta has the lowest cost of living in Colorado for household bills
Out of 67 cities, Delta is the most affordable place in Colorado, with residents paying $1,718 on average for household bills, accounting for 29% of annual income of $50,835. The Cost of Bills Index (COBI) for Delta is 81, meaning the average cost of bills in this city is 19% below the national average.
Canon City is the second most affordable city in Colorado, with residents paying $1,722 per month on average.
Also on the list of the 10 least expensive cities in Colorado are Alamosa ($1,724), Cortez ($1,769) and Montrose ($1,775).
10 Most Affordable Colorado Cities for Household Bills
| Rank | City | Average Income | Monthly Bill Expense Per Household | Cost of Bills Index (COBI) – Standard | % +/- Than the National Average | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills |
| 58 | Sterling | $52,827 | $1,957 | 92 | 8% lower | 44% |
| 59 | Grand Junction | $69,121 | $1,927 | 91 | 9% lower | 33% |
| 60 | Pueblo | $60,100 | $1,913 | 90 | 10% lower | 38% |
| 61 | Clifton | $49,796 | $1,846 | 87 | 13% lower | 44% |
| 62 | Trinidad | $52,393 | $1,804 | 85 | 15% lower | 41% |
| 63 | Montrose | $64,162 | $1,775 | 83 | 17% lower | 33% |
| 64 | Cortez | $59,571 | $1,769 | 83 | 17% lower | 36% |
| 65 | Alamosa | $52,125 | $1,724 | 81 | 19% lower | 40% |
| 66 | Canon City | $57,262 | $1,722 | 81 | 19% lower | 36% |
| 67 | Delta | $50,835 | $1,718 | 81 | 19% lower | 41% |
*Household Bill Pay Expense averages shown above reflect the ten most common bills paid, including housing (rent/mortgage).
Some individuals might be considering moving from a more expensive city to a less expensive one. For those making such decisions, doxoINSIGHTS can be a valuable resource. It allows consumers to compare household expenses in Colorado with average bills in various cities and states nationwide.