Durango, CO vs La Junta, CO

The cost of living difference between Durango, CO and La Junta, CO is dramatic. La Junta is 85% cheaper than Durango, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Durango has a cost index of 133 while La Junta sits at 72, 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 Durango is $1,562/month compared to $709/month in La Junta — a 120% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: La Junta is more affordable at $180,700 median vs $609,700.

Median household income in Durango is $79,545 compared to $54,253 in La Junta (+46.6%). The higher salaries in Durango partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Durango spend roughly 23.6% of their income on rent, more than the 15.7% in La Junta.