Aspen, CO vs Durango, CO

The cost of living difference between Aspen, CO and Durango, CO is dramatic. Durango is 54.9% cheaper than Aspen, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Aspen has a cost index of 206 while Durango sits at 133, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Aspen is $1,897/month compared to $1,562/month in Durango — a 21% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Durango is more affordable at $609,700 median vs $1,375,000.

Median household income in Aspen is $78,636 compared to $79,545 in Durango (-1.1%). Durango offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Aspen spend roughly 28.9% of their income on rent, more than the 23.6% in Durango.