Cost of Living in Telluride, CO

With a cost of living index of 136, Telluride, CO is a notably expensive place to live. Living here is 36% more expensive than the national average and 22% above the Colorado state average of 114. Telluride is a small community of 2,595 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in Telluride's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $2,269 (72% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $390,300 (28% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 4x the median household income — a moderately affordable ratio by today's standards.

The median household income in Telluride is $97,330, which is 30% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 28% of household income on rent. This is near the 30% threshold that financial experts generally consider the upper limit of affordability. While incomes are above average, they do not fully offset the higher cost of living.

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.