Pagosa Springs, CO vs South Fork, CO

Pagosa Springs, CO and South Fork, CO have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.9% difference in their overall index. Pagosa Springs scores 97 while South Fork scores 93 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 Pagosa Springs is $1,068/month compared to $874/month in South Fork — a 22% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while South Fork has cheaper rent, Pagosa Springs actually has lower median home values ($353,800 vs $381,600).

Median household income in Pagosa Springs is $36,712 compared to $75,938 in South Fork (-51.7%). South Fork offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Pagosa Springs spend roughly 34.9% of their income on rent, more than the 13.8% in South Fork. The South Fork ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.