Well, our suspicions have been confirmed: living in Colorado is ridiculously expensive. While we feared/figured this for quite a while now, the cost information website HowMuch crunched the numbers and published some pretty startling infographics regarding the cost of living in Colorado versus the rest of America. It may make you cringe but read on to see just how tough it is to survive in the Centennial State if you aren’t sitting securely in the highest tax bracket.
Please note: the findings below were published on October 9th, 2017.
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If you’re interested in the methodology, data, and calculations used by HowMuch to come to these conclusions about the cost of living in Colorado, click here for details regarding the cost of homeownership and here for the rent breakdown.
Need to lift your spirits after these depressing stats? Click on The Quirky Town In Colorado That Will Make You Laugh Out Loud.
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Living In Colorado
Beth C. |June 30, 2020
Is Colorado a great place to live?
We hope the statistics in the above article didn't scare you too much, because living in Colorado is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have. If you're someone who values the great outdoors, exercise, fresh air, and sunshine, it's hard to imagine a more suitable place than the Centennial State. Those who move to Colorado will note how incredible the Rocky Mountains are compared to other mountain ranges in the U.S. Whether you prefer skiing, snowboarding, hiking, or simply strolling through nature, you'll find no shortage of things to do in Colorado.
What are the best things about living in Colorado?
In addition to Colorado's obvious appeal to nature enthusiasts, some of the best things about living in Colorado involve the variety of activities you can enjoy here. Head to Denver and prepare to be amazed by the array of cultural experiences, restaurants, museums, shops, and more that await you there. From the Denver Botanic Gardens to the Denver Zoo, you're bound to find something to love in the state's capital. Of course, Colorado's small towns are equally as impressive with their unique histories and breathtaking scenery. Finally, one of the very best things about living in Colorado is that it can be a wonderful place for your health. Colorado is consistently noted as one of the healthiest states in the U.S., given its residents' commitment to outdoor activities and healthy diets.
What are the worst things about living in Colorado?
As is the case for every state, there are some downsides about living in Colorado. While Colorado has some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the world, its identity as a landlocked state means there's no ocean. Many residents of Colorado share a longing for sand and saltwater, but fortunately, Colorado has no shortage of great places to swim. In fact, there are even some beautiful beaches that make being landlocked more bearable. Just take a look at some of these incredible lakes and swimming holes and see if you aren't convinced.
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The living wage in Colorado is $16.54 per hour, or $34,488 per year. This is the hourly wage that a worker needs to earn to support themselves and their family.
But just how much does a single person in California need to make to live comfortably? A new study from Smart Asset determined that a person must make at least $ 89,190 to get by comfortably.
The median salary in Denver, CO is $66,516, with 80% of salaries falling between $34,800 and $143,550. Salaries in Denver, CO are generally above the national average.
Under the 2024 PAY CALC Order, which annually publishes adjustments to the state's minimum pay and income levels for the upcoming year, Colorado's minimum wage rates increased on Jan. 1, 2024, to: $14.42 for standard employees (up from $13.65) $11.40 for tipped employees (up from $10.63)
To account for this, experts suggest you multiply your desired retirement income by 25 times. So if you want to retire on $20,000 a year, you would need $500,000 saved to live comfortably and never have to work again. Retirement spending also depends on your lifestyle choices.
The study found that a person needs an average of $96,500 for sustainable comfort in a major U.S. city. It's even more expensive for families, who need to make an average combined income of about $235,000 to support two adults and two children without the pressure of living paycheck to paycheck.
50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Colorado is $87,598. Of the 10 biggest cities in Colorado, Arvada has the highest median income at over $100,000. A financial advisor can create a financial plan so you can do more with your money.
A one-person household must earn less than $66,300 a year, or about $31.88 an hour, to be in the current low-income range for Denver. That's about $1 more an hour compared to last year, when Denverites who made less than $62,600 were included in the low-income range.
Colorado has a higher cost of living compared to the national average, with housing costs being particularly steep at 20% higher than the national average. Utilities, however, are 9% lower.
Is $80K a good salary for a single person? $80,000 is about $5,000 higher than the U.S. median household income, so many people would consider it very good for a single person. “Good” is always a relative term when it comes to salary; whether or not the amount you earn covers your expenses is a highly personal dynamic.
If you make $75,000 a year living in the region of Colorado, USA, you will be taxed $18,237. That means that your net pay will be $56,764 per year, or $4,730 per month.
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