Calhan, CO vs Crested Butte, CO

The cost of living difference between Calhan, CO and Crested Butte, CO is dramatic. Calhan is 45.6% cheaper than Crested Butte, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Calhan has a cost index of 84 while Crested Butte sits at 155, 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 Calhan is $935/month compared to $1,437/month in Crested Butte — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Calhan is more affordable at $265,000 median vs $928,100.

Median household income in Calhan is $50,000 compared to $71,923 in Crested Butte (-30.5%). The higher salaries in Crested Butte partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Calhan spend roughly 22.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24% in Crested Butte.