Durango, CO vs Orchard Mesa, CO

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Orchard Mesa is 25.9% cheaper than Durango. With a cost index of 106 vs 133, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Orchard Mesa to Durango should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Durango is $1,562/month compared to $1,588/month in Orchard Mesa — a 2% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Durango has cheaper rent, Orchard Mesa actually has lower median home values ($304,200 vs $609,700).

Median household income in Durango is $79,545 compared to $76,173 in Orchard Mesa (+4.4%). Durango does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Durango spend roughly 23.6% of their income on rent, less than the 25% in Orchard Mesa.