Del Norte, CO vs Empire, CO

The cost of living difference between Del Norte, CO and Empire, CO is dramatic. Del Norte is 31.6% cheaper than Empire, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Del Norte has a cost index of 75 while Empire sits at 109, 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 Del Norte is $812/month compared to $1,566/month in Empire — a 48% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Del Norte is more affordable at $175,600 median vs $297,600.

Median household income in Del Norte is $39,861 compared to $63,092 in Empire (-36.8%). While Empire is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Del Norte spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, less than the 29.8% in Empire.