F
40%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
128%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Columbine Colorado National
Cost of living140111100
Goods & Services106104100
Groceries105101100
Health care99100100
Housing228134100
Transportation104105100
Utilities8591100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Columbine, CO

Understanding the cost of living in Columbine can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Columbine cost of living index is 140, which is 40% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.

If affordability is among your top priorities when searching for a new place to live, this area may not be the ideal fit, as the cost of living in Columbine is among the most expensive in the United States. Just a minority of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Columbine falls into this category, which may not align with your goal of finding a budget-friendly living environment.

Housing costs make up a big chunk of the cost of living in Columbine, and they usually eat into a large part of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, both buying a home and renting one costs 127.7% more than the average city. This includes stuff like home prices, rent, mortgage rates, and insurance.

Is Columbine Affordable?

Is Columbine affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Columbine, for instance, where the median home price falls 134.1% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 112.8% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Columbine flaunting a median household income of $105,089, 90% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Columbine?

Healthcare: Healthcare costs and insurance premiums can undergo substantial fluctuations based on the city or state of residence. Elements such as the availability of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket costs for medical consultations, dental expenses, prescription medication charges and specialized medical care fees all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Columbine, healthcare costs are 1.3% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Columbine, the general sales tax rate starts at 2.9%, and income tax rates begin at 4.4%.

Utilities: Much like any other costs, utility expenses can exhibit considerable variations, influenced by factors such as climate, available energy sources, geographic location and state regulations. The costs associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can vary significantly depending on the city or state in question. In Columbine, the utilities index stands at 15% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Columbine cost of living data displayed above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index to provide a useful and reasonably accurate measure of living cost differences in urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, it compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services. These items have been meticulously selected to represent various consumer expenditure categories, in 6 categories. Weightings assigned to cost differentials draw from government survey data tracking spending patterns among professional and executive households. While the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Columbine is 26% higher than the Colorado average
  • The cost of living in Columbine is 40% higher than the national average
  • Columbine housing is 128% higher than the national average
  • Colorado general sales tax is 43% lower than the national average
  • Colorado state income tax is 69% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Columbine

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Compare Columbine, CO Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$112,616$9,385$2,628$3,379
      Renters$47,474$3,956$1,108$1,424
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Columbine, CO, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Columbine, homeowners have a median income of $112,616. Using that number, a maximum of $2,628 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $47,474, which means there is a maximum of $1,108 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Colorado Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Colorado 2.9% 10%

      Colorado Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Colorado 4.4% 4.4%

      Goods & Services

      Item Columbine National avg. Difference
      Haircut $26.81$24.2610.5%
      Beauty Salon $50.45$45.5610.7%
      Toothpaste $3.70$3.700.1%
      Shampoo $1.27$1.281.1%
      Movie $14.70$12.1321.1%
      Bowling $21.40$18.0018.9%

      Groceries

      Item Columbine National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.23$5.8410.4%
      Fried Chicken $1.40$1.5711.2%
      Milk $4.74$4.671.4%
      Potatoes $4.30$4.9312.9%
      Pizza $12.87$12.096.5%
      Beer $10.67$10.412.5%

      Health Care

      Item Columbine National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $121.38$125.683.4%
      Doctor $116.64$135.7814.1%
      Dentist $126.27$113.2911.5%
      Ibuprofen $10.88$10.652.1%
      Lipitor $447.94$468.604.4%

      Housing

      Item Columbine National avg. Difference
      Home Price $432,300.00$184,700.00134.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $3,151.90$2,346.6934.3%
      Apartment Rent $2,019.00$949.00112.8%

      Transportation

      Item Columbine National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.67$3.465.9%
      Tire Balancing $60.05$59.920.2%

      Utilities

      Item Columbine National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $145.02$193.9925.2%
      Phone $194.36$192.251.1%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Glendale CDP, CO781022.3%
      Lakeside, CO68514.8%
      Sheridan, CO6,07211312.9%
      Glendale, CO5,18611413.9%
      Louviers, CO38111414.3%
      Columbine, CO25,89214039.9%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Holt, MI25,888945.8%
      Sachse, TX25,88812120.8%
      Prosper, TX25,88714848.0%
      East Gwillimbury, ON25,899n/a 
      Asheboro, NC25,8778713.4%
      Columbine, CO25,89214039.9%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.