Lamar, CO vs Leadville, CO

The cost of living difference between Lamar, CO and Leadville, CO is dramatic. Lamar is 37.8% cheaper than Leadville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Lamar has a cost index of 72 while Leadville sits at 116, 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 Lamar is $844/month compared to $1,651/month in Leadville — a 49% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Lamar is more affordable at $137,100 median vs $374,700.

Median household income in Lamar is $58,487 compared to $83,875 in Leadville (-30.3%). The higher salaries in Leadville partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Lamar spend roughly 17.3% of their income on rent, less than the 23.6% in Leadville.