B
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Search Homes for Sale
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 Grand Junction Colorado National
Cost of living107111100
Goods & Services99104100
Groceries104101100
Health care109100100
Housing124134100
Transportation109105100
Utilities9091100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Grand Junction, CO

Understanding the cost of living in Grand Junction 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 Grand Junction cost of living index is 107, which is 7% 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.

The cost of living in Grand Junction 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 Grand Junction can anticipate that their daily expenses will remain reasonably in line with those of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

When it comes to the cost of living in Grand Junction, housing costs are a real heavyweight, often hogging a significant chunk of your earnings. Sadly, in this area, housing expenses for both buying and renting were 23.6% more expensive compared to your average city. That means you'll be shelling out more for homes, rents, mortgage rates and insurance.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Grand Junction?

When it comes to knowing a city, its residents are the experts. We conducted a survey with 25 locals to understand their opinions on the cost of living in Grand Junction. The results indicated that 28% found it reasonably priced with decreasing prices of goods and services, while 72% viewed it as quite expensive, with increasing prices.

Is Grand Junction Affordable?

Is Grand Junction an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Grand Junction, the median home price is 36.1% higher than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 5.7% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Grand Junction come in at $54,570, which is 1.4% lower than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Grand Junction?

Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.

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 Grand Junction, healthcare costs are 9% higher than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Grand Junction, the groceries index is 4.4% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Grand Junction displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

New Real Estate Listings in Grand Junction Area
Search Homes for Sale in Grand Junction, CO

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Grand Junction is 3% lower than the Colorado average
  • The cost of living in Grand Junction is 7% higher than the national average
  • Grand Junction housing is 24% 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 Grand Junction

See all the best places to live around Grand Junction

Compare Grand Junction, CO Cost of Living

      vs
      How would you rate the cost of living in Grand Junction?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      Is the cost of living increasing or decreasing in Grand Junction?
      Write a review to give others more information about this area.
      See all Grand Junction poll results

      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$71,071$5,923$1,658$2,132
      Renters$35,817$2,985$836$1,075
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in Grand Junction, CO, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for Grand Junction homeowners, is $71,071. This would allow for a maximum of $1,658 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $35,817 which would result in a maximum of $836 to be spent on rental costs.

      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 Grand Junction 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 Grand Junction 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 Grand Junction 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 Grand Junction National avg. Difference
      Home Price $251,400.00$184,700.0036.1%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,179.59$2,346.697.1%
      Apartment Rent $895.00$949.005.7%

      Transportation

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

      Utilities

      Item Grand Junction 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.
      Clifton, CO20,783982.4%
      Palisade, CO2,7831000.2%
      Orchard Mesa, CO6,4841066.1%
      Fruitvale, CO8,3521076.7%
      Fruita, CO14,0681109.7%
      Grand Junction, CO62,2181077.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Hamilton, OH62,162918.6%
      Doral, FL62,36714039.6%
      Council Bluffs, IA62,3769010.3%
      Idaho Falls, ID62,417955.4%
      North Miami, FL62,46811110.8%
      Grand Junction, CO62,2181077.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.