Cost of Living in Durango, CO

If you’re looking at great places to live in Colorado, you’ll want to add Durango to your list. Before you pack your bags and book the movers, though, you should learn about the Durango, Colorado, cost of living to make sure you can budget for your dream place.

About Durango, CO

You’ll find Durango in southwest Colorado’s La Plata County. The small city near the New Mexico border boasts plenty of fun opportunities for skiing aficionados, but there’s more to Durango than just the breathtaking mountains around it. With an abundance of outdoor activities, a thriving art community, and history as a mining town, Durango has something for everyone.

Durango got its start as an area with services for mining operations in the region. Today, mining, oil and gas extraction, and quarrying still take a big share of job industry earnings in the area. Durango’s mining history also impacts tourism, as Durango features a range of museums and historic attractions dedicated to its past.

Thanks to skiing and other winter sports, winter tourism boosts the economy in Durango. Still, tourism here actually peaks in the summer months. As a Durango resident, you’ll get to enjoy the biking, hiking, and other outdoor activities that draw in tourists when the weather warms up. Education, health care, and technical industries play a big role in Durango as well.

In addition to providing an outdoor-lover’s oasis, Durango boasts a thriving art community. The city constantly seeks ways to promote local artists and is even home to various galleries.

Durango offers a beautiful place to call home, but it does come with relatively high prices. The cost of living in Durango, Colorado, is higher than the national average. Taking a deeper look at the cost of living in this city can help prepare you when you’re planning a move to Colorado.

Cost of Living in Durango, CO: Housing Expenses

If you’re planning a move to Durango, you’ll want to know what to expect in terms of rent to ensure you find an apartment you can afford. In fact, Durango’s high cost of living index is due in large part to its housing index, which is more than double the national housing index.

Don’t let high average costs put you off from searching for a place in Durango. Although housing costs in Durango tend to be higher than in other areas of Colorado and the rest of the country, you can find a dream place at a great price when you know where to look.

How expensive is an apartment in Durango?

The average rent in Durango, Colorado, is around $1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment. The monthly rent expenses you can expect vary depending on the type of apartment you choose. You will find everything from studio apartments to one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and four-bedroom apartments available in this city.

How do I find cheap apartments in Durango?

If you are looking for an inexpensive apartment to rent, you might look for studio apartments in Durango. You can find studios for around $500/month.

What is the cheapest rent in Durango?

The cheapest apartments for rent in Durango are typically under $1,000. You can find studios closer to $500 if you’re looking to save on your place in this city.

Durango, CO Cost of Living: Other Expenses To Consider

You’ll want to think about costs other than housing when deciding where you want to live. Overall, living in Durango comes with higher costs than not only other places in Colorado but also compared to the national average in the United States.

How expensive are utilities in Durango?

Residents of Durango pay slightly higher utility costs compared to the average across the U.S. You’ll likely need to budget for utilities such as electricity, cooling, heating, water, and internet.

How expensive is food in Durango?

You’ll pay more on average for groceries in Durango than in other parts of the country. Groceries cost about 8% more in this city compared to the national average. If you’re looking for more affordable grocery stores, you can give Albertsons, City Market, or Walmart Supercenter a try.

How much does transportation cost in Durango?

Transportation is one category that will let you enjoy big savings in Durango. Though transportation costs in Colorado overall are higher than the national average, costs rank significantly lower in Durango. For example, auto insurance premiums in Durango are lower than the average across the state.

The Durango Transit system offers plenty of ways to get around without spending a lot. You can navigate the city using a convenient system of buses and trolleys. You can pay a $1 fare for any route, or go for a monthly or annual pass. Children between the ages of 5 and 18 can take advantage of discounted monthly or annual passes. Lyft and Uber also offer services here.

How much do people pay for health care in Durango?

Durango’s cost of health care index comes in above both Colorado’s average and the national average.

How expensive is child care in Durango?

If you need child care, you’ll need to budget for more expensive costs. Colorado has some of the highest child care costs in the United States. Eligible families can make use of financial assistance via the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program.

Though the cost of living in Durango, Colorado, ranks fairly high when you compare it to cost of living figures in other areas of the country, Durango also features a range of perks that make living here worth it. From the rich arts scene to the gorgeous mountains to the abundant opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, Durango offers plenty of reasons to call the city home. Look for an apartment in Durango that fits your budget so you can enjoy all this interesting Colorado city has to offer.