Brighton, CO vs Durango, CO

Brighton, CO and Durango, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Brighton scores 129 while Durango scores 133 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Brighton is $1,734/month compared to $1,562/month in Durango — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Durango has cheaper rent, Brighton actually has lower median home values ($475,100 vs $609,700).

Median household income in Brighton is $100,134 compared to $79,545 in Durango (+25.9%). Brighton offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Brighton spend roughly 20.8% of their income on rent, less than the 23.6% in Durango.