Ridgway, CO vs Westcliffe, CO

The cost of living difference between Ridgway, CO and Westcliffe, CO is dramatic. Westcliffe is 46.6% cheaper than Ridgway, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Ridgway has a cost index of 132 while Westcliffe sits at 90, 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 Ridgway is $1,336/month compared to $908/month in Westcliffe — a 47% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Westcliffe is more affordable at $326,000 median vs $677,700.

Median household income in Ridgway is $88,218 compared to $65,074 in Westcliffe (+35.6%). The higher salaries in Ridgway partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Ridgway spend roughly 18.2% of their income on rent, more than the 16.7% in Westcliffe.