Cost of Living in Salida, CO

With a cost of living index of 131, Salida, CO is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 31% more expensive than the national average and 17% above the Colorado state average of 114. Salida is a smaller community of 5,786 residents, where everyday costs can differ substantially from nearby larger cities.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Salida's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $1,567 (19% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $583,400 (91% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 8.4x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in Salida is $69,773, which is 7% lower than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 27% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.