Aspen, CO vs Leadville, CO

The cost of living difference between Aspen, CO and Leadville, CO is dramatic. Leadville is 76.9% cheaper than Aspen, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Aspen has a cost index of 206 while Leadville sits at 116, 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 $1,651/month in Leadville — a 15% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Leadville is more affordable at $374,700 median vs $1,375,000.

Median household income in Aspen is $78,636 compared to $83,875 in Leadville (-6.2%). Leadville 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 Leadville.