Colorado
Among the top 14% of US states for lifestyle & connectivity.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 35% 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)
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$2kbetter than 22% 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
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.
- What is the median home value in Colorado?
- The median home value in Colorado is $476k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Colorado?
- Median household income in Colorado is $90k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Colorado?
- Median gross rent in Colorado is $2k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- 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.
Best places to live in Colorado
Top cities in Colorado
Counties in Colorado
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)