A+
2%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
9%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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 Clifton Colorado National
Cost of living98111100
Goods & Services99104100
Groceries104101100
Health care109100100
Housing91134100
Transportation109105100
Utilities9091100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Clifton, CO

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Clifton is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Clifton is 98, which is 2% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

The cost of living in Clifton closely mirrors the national average in comparison to other cities nationwide. Essential items such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utilities are priced at a level consistent with similar urban areas. This means that residents of Clifton can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

Is Clifton Affordable?

Is Clifton 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 Clifton, for instance, where the median home price falls 10.6% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 0.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Clifton flaunting a median household income of $67,810, 16.6% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Clifton?

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In Clifton, the housing index stands at 7.4% lower than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban centers, known for their wealth of amenities and strong employment prospects, often exhibit an elevated cost of living, primarily attributable to the heightened demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this scenario leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural areas or regions characterized by diminished demand typically provide a more limited array of amenities and experience slower job market growth, resulting in a more affordable cost of living.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Clifton, the transportation index is 1.1% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The Clifton cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Clifton is 12% lower than the Colorado average
  • The cost of living in Clifton is 2% lower than the national average
  • Clifton housing is 9% lower 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 Clifton

See all the best places to live around Clifton

Compare Clifton, CO Cost of Living

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      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$56,055$4,671$1,308$1,682
      Renters$30,634$2,553$715$919
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Clifton, CO, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Clifton have a median income of $56,055. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,308 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $30,634, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $715.

      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 Clifton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $27.07$24.2611.6%
      Beauty Salon $38.50$45.5615.5%
      Toothpaste $3.65$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.1%
      Movie $10.84$12.1310.6%
      Bowling $13.55$18.0024.7%

      Groceries

      Item Clifton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.27$5.849.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.9%
      Milk $4.60$4.671.5%
      Potatoes $4.16$4.9315.8%
      Pizza $12.49$12.093.3%
      Beer $10.74$10.413.2%

      Health Care

      Item Clifton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $108.15$125.6813.9%
      Doctor $121.76$135.7810.3%
      Dentist $124.32$113.299.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.46$10.651.8%
      Lipitor $505.02$468.607.8%

      Housing

      Item Clifton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $158,000.00$184,700.0014.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,179.59$2,346.697.1%
      Apartment Rent $969.00$949.002.1%

      Transportation

      Item Clifton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.55$3.462.6%
      Tire Balancing $56.90$59.925.0%

      Utilities

      Item Clifton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $173.81$193.9910.4%
      Phone $193.95$192.250.9%
      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.
      Palisade, CO2,7831000.2%
      Orchard Mesa, CO6,4841066.1%
      Fruitvale, CO8,3521076.7%
      Grand Junction, CO62,2181077.5%
      Fruita, CO14,0681109.7%
      Clifton, CO20,783982.4%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Lebanon, OH20,7811000.2%
      McNair, VA20,77614242.3%
      South El Monte, CA20,79114545.3%
      Ypsilanti, MI20,792963.7%
      Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, QC20,759n/a 
      Clifton, CO20,783982.4%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.