Colorado
Among the top 14% of US states for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 43% of US states
WeatherWeather: grade B, better than 57% of US states
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade C, better than 25% of US states
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade B, better than 65% of US states
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade A, better than 86% of US states
- top 4% for broadband access
- top 6% for property tax rate
- bottom 4% for property crime
Colorado is a U.S. state with about 5,771,000 residents. It grades A for lifestyle & connectivity and C for safety & wellbeing. Standout strengths include broadband access, property tax rate, and summer humidity. It rates lower on comfortable days and property crime.
Official websitecolorado.gov (opens in new tab)
- The median home value in Colorado is $476k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median household income in Colorado is $90k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Median gross rent in Colorado is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Colorado has a violent crime rate of 1188/100k, per the FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
- The average one-way commute in Colorado is 26 min, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$90k80th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$59kbetter than 24% of US states
Home Value$476k88th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$2kbetter than 12% of US states
Monthly Owner Costs$115kbetter than 37% of US states
Property Tax Rate0.49%better than 94% of US states
Income Tax4.44%better than 72% of US states
Sales Tax7.81%better than 30% of US states
Estimated total tax burden9.56%better than 60% of US states
Unemployment4.6%better than 67% of US states
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)30°F43rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)72°F24th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation17.5 in14th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall56.9 inbetter than 10% of US states
Sunny Days261 daysbetter than 88% of US states
Summer Humidity48°Fbetter than 90% of US states
Comfortable Days42 daysbetter than 6% of US states
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk85.0better than 35% of US states
Air Quality49 AQIbetter than 28% of US states
School Quality57.6better than 48% of US states
Violent Crime1188/100kbetter than 52% of US states
Property Crime3161/100kbetter than 4% of US states
Community
Population5,770,79061st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age37.522nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.3947th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio1.0390th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningD+1329th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)66.2%49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)3.8%33rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)22.1%86th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)3.1%57th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)4.7%63rd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time26 minbetter than 43% of US states
Walkability10.5/20better than 78% of US states
Airport Distance58 mibetter than 51% of US states
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access91.8%better than 96% of US states
Amenities Nearby2.88better than 35% of US states
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 71% of US states
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)
Frequently asked questions
- Is Colorado an affordable place to live?
- Colorado is relatively expensive. Its cost-of-living index is $59k, better than 24% of comparable areas. Median rent is $2k.
- Is Colorado safe?
- Colorado is about average for safety comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 1188/100k (better than 52%). Property crime is 3161/100k.
- What is the weather like in Colorado?
- Colorado averages 72°F in July and 30°F in January, with 17.5 in of annual precipitation and about 261 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Colorado?
- Public-school quality in Colorado is about average, scoring better than 48% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Colorado?
- The average one-way commute in Colorado is 26 min.