Empire, CO vs Vilas, CO

The cost of living difference between Empire, CO and Vilas, CO is dramatic. Vilas is 99% cheaper than Empire, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Empire has a cost index of 109 while Vilas sits at 55, 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 Empire is $1,566/month compared to $457/month in Vilas — a 243% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Vilas is more affordable at $65,600 median vs $297,600.

Median household income in Empire is $63,092 compared to $30,938 in Vilas (+103.9%). 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 Empire spend roughly 29.8% of their income on rent, more than the 17.7% in Vilas.