Mount Crested Butte, CO vs Red Cliff, CO

Mount Crested Butte, CO and Red Cliff, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.9% difference in their overall index. Mount Crested Butte scores 136 while Red Cliff scores 140 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Mount Crested Butte is $1,717/month compared to $1,450/month in Red Cliff — a 18% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Red Cliff has cheaper rent, Mount Crested Butte actually has lower median home values ($594,600 vs $742,600).

Median household income in Mount Crested Butte is $93,182 compared to $68,056 in Red Cliff (+36.9%). Mount Crested Butte offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Mount Crested Butte spend roughly 22.1% of their income on rent, less than the 25.6% in Red Cliff.