Colorado is a state in the Sub-Western region of the United States. It is known for its extensive geographical features including Southern Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, Great Plains and more. The cost of living in Colorado is around USD 2456. It is the 21st most populated state of the United States.
The state is renowned for its advanced academic courses, rocky mountains and amazing cuisine with many Mexican restaurants spread throughout the region. Colorado is definitely a state worth a visit. If you wish to know about the cost of living in Colorado, continue reading the blog to find out!
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Cost of Living in Colorado
The average overall cost of living in Colorado for an international student is around USD 2456 along with the housing rent. However, living expenses can vary according to the living standard and area of living people prefer. Colorado is well known for its amazing lifestyle, fantastic salaries, and high-quality education, which attracts people around the globe.
The cost of living in Colorado includes housing renting, healthcare expenses, transportation costs, grocery expenditures, utility bills, and entertainment expenses. Here, we have gathered the average cost of living in Colorado for these categories. This will help the students who wish to move here for higher studies. Please take a look
Also Read: Cost of Living in Pennsylvania: A Comprehensive Guide
Transportation Cost in Colorado
The cost of transportation depends on your travel duration and for how long you travel in a month. Generally, the natives spend hundreds of dollars on transportation every month. Public transportation costs between USD 94.2 a month. While having your own vehicle costs an average of USD 657 a month. For your reference, we have given an overview of the cost of transportation in the Colorado.
Mode of Transport | Approx Cost |
Ticket of Local Public transport | USD 3.08 |
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport | USD 94.2 |
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 5 km | USD 16 |
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol | USD 0.92 |
Food Expenses Cost in Colorado
Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the United States with the lowest obesity percentage. For a single person, the cost of food is around USD 316 a month. However, the food expenses for a family are around USD 1,264. For your reference, we have given an overview of the cost of food in Colorado restaurants and the cost of groceries in the Colorado market in the table below.
Type of Restaurant | Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant |
Meal at inexpensive restaurant | USD 18.8 |
Meal for 2 person (in a Mid-range Restaurant) | USD 71 |
Meal that is equiv. to McDonald’s | USD 11 |
Cappuccino | USD 5.17 |
1 litre Regular Milk | USD 1.13 |
500g Bread (White) | USD 3.6 |
1kg of white Rice | USD 5.0 |
1kg of Apples | USD 4.88 |
1kg of Banana | USD 1.57 |
1kg of Oranges | USD 4.18 |
1kg of Tomato | USD 4.97 |
1kg of Potato | USD 3.03 |
1kg of Onion | USD 2.95 |
1 litre of Water bottle | USD 1.51 |
Utility Expenses in Colorado
Colorado is somewhat on the edge of expenses in terms of utility expenses. The netizens of Colorado spend around USD 112 a month, inclusive of water, gas, cable and internet, trash and sewer, and recycling. For your reference, we have given an overview of the cost of food in Colorado restaurants and the cost of utility bills in the Colorado market in the table below.
Utility Type | Approx. Cost |
Basic Utility Bills of Water, Electricity, Heating | USD 112 |
Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly) | USD 65.2 |
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Accommodation Cost in Colorado
Accommodation cost depends on the type of your housing. Most individuals pay around USD 1,313 for a single-bed apartment and about USD 2,390 for a house. Housing rent is one of the main factors that can affect the cost of living in the Colorado. However, it depends on the location, size, and type of room and apartment. For your reference, we have given an overview of the cost of housing rent in Colorado in the table below.
Apartment | Location | Approx. Monthly Cost |
Apartment of One-bedroom | in the City Centre | USD 1,610 |
Apartment of One-bedroom | Affordable | USD 1,313 |
Apartment of Three-bedroom | in the City Centre | USD 2,867 |
Apartment of Three-bedroom | Affordable | USD 2,390 |
Healthcare Expenses in Colorado
One of the most important expenses that one must take care of is healthcare expenses. Even though people in Colorado lead a healthy lifestyle yet some health concerns are unpredictable. Thus, one must look out for healthcare expenses in Colorado. Health insurance for a single person in Colorado cost USD 369.
Cost of Living in Colorado Compared to Other States
The cost of living in Colorado varies according to certain factors such as location, lifestyle, and personal preferences compared to the cost of living in other cities in the United States. Generally, Colorado offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many major metropolitan areas. For your reference, we have given the cost of living in Colorado compared to other cities in the US.
Cost of Living city-wise | Approx Costs | Comparison Cost of Living in Colorado |
Cost of Living in New York | USD 1,695 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in San Francisco | USD 1,502 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in San Diego | USD 1,389 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in Seattle | USD 1,383 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in Los Angeles | USD 1,363 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in Nashville | USD 1,231 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in California | USD 1,363 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in Florida | USD 1,231 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in Chicago | USD 1,298 | Higher than Colorado |
Cost of Living in Washington | USD 1,351 | Higher than Colorado |
Why Choose Colorado to Study Abroad?
Colorado was the shooting location of many prominent Westerns like True Grit, The Searchers, Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid. The popular TV series Good Luck Charlie was also set in Denver, Colorado. It is also know for it prestigious universities in acting and other advance courses. Here are the various reason to study in Colorado:
- It is a haven for students who wish to pursue STEM courses. Colorado universities boast advanced, high-tech equipment to provide a deeper understanding of concepts
- As per the statistics, Colorado is the third most educated state in the USA. The population is quite qualified to improve the chances of having prestigious job opportunities
- It is the home of the University of Colorado, the university is known for its Astronomy department, providing top-notch education to students
- Colorado sets the standard for hiring the most qualified professors to impart only the best quality education to students and provide them with a better academic future
- One of the top reasons to choose Colorado as your study abroad destination is the cost of studying. Studying in Colorado is quite affordable compared to other states in the USA
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Average Tuition Fees in Colorado
Understanding Colorado universities tuition fees along with the cost of living in the Colorado is essential for a student in managing their academics expenses. So that they can plan their educational journey in a better way. The following is the cost of pursuing your education in Colorado:
Course Level | Average Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate | USD 11,406 / year |
Postgraduate | USD 9,450 / year |
PhD | USD 17,874 / year |
Things to Consider When Moving to Colorado
The following are some important things to keep in mind when moving to Colorado apart from the cost of living in Colorado. These important things will help you in managing lifestyle there:
- The people of Colorado take their health and fitness seriously and embrace a healthy lifestyle. They prefer doing high levels of outdoor activities and encourage staying active and exercising.
- Coloradans stay active in winter as well. Instead of sitting idle in front of a TV, they prefer to go outdoors for some hiking, skiing and skating-like activities.
- Natural beauty in Colorado is one of a kind. The red rocks are a natural wonder, offering a perfect picturesque for your hiking trips.
- Colorado is a youth hub with a large number of young adults. These individuals are quite educated and in line for various job opportunities.
- Since most of the individuals are well-educated, the average income of a household is quite high. The median household salary in Colorado was USD 82,611.
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FAQs on Cost of Living in Colorado
Ans: The average cost of living in Colorado is around USD 2456 including rent. Which makes it more affordable than other cities in the USA. However, these expenses can vary according to individual preferences and location of living.
Ans:It depends mainly on the location of your stay. Most individuals pay around USD 1,360 for a single-bed apartment and about USD 2,501 for a house. Moreover, the cost of living in Colorado is around USD 907 without rent.
Ans: The following are the benefits of living in Colorado along with the affordable cost of living in Colorado:
The state of Colorado is known for health and fitness and embraces a healthy lifestyle.
Natural beauty in Colorado is one of a kind.
The population is quite qualified to improve the chances of having prestigious job opportunities
Ans: The following are the top universities in Colorado:
University of Colorado (Boulder)
Colorado State University
University of Denver
University of Colorado Denver
So, this was all about the cost of living in the Colorado. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.