Glenwood Springs, CO vs Montrose, CO

The cost of living difference between Glenwood Springs, CO and Montrose, CO is dramatic. Montrose is 37.7% cheaper than Glenwood Springs, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Glenwood Springs has a cost index of 136 while Montrose sits at 99, 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 Glenwood Springs is $1,717/month compared to $1,117/month in Montrose — a 54% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Montrose is more affordable at $359,000 median vs $592,000.

Median household income in Glenwood Springs is $87,000 compared to $63,177 in Montrose (+37.7%). The higher salaries in Glenwood Springs partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Glenwood Springs spend roughly 23.7% of their income on rent, more than the 21.2% in Montrose.