Arizona vs Colorado: cost of living
Arizona is the cheaper state of the two, with an overall price level of 99.9 versus 102.3 for Colorado (BEA Regional Price Parity, US = 100) — so Colorado is about 2.4% more expensive. Arizona's median household income is $77,315 versus $92,911 in Colorado, and median rent is $1,672 versus $1,822 a month. To keep a $100,000 standard of living moving from Arizona to Colorado you'd need about $102,402.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP), all items. Data as of June 2026.
Arizona vs Colorado side by side
| Indicator | Arizona | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US=100) | 99.9 | 102.3 |
| Price vs US average | -0.1% | +2.3% |
| Median household income (ACS 2023) | $77,315 | $92,911 |
| Median gross rent / month | $1,672 | $1,822 |
| Census region | West | West |
Sources: BEA RPP 2022; Census ACS income and rent 2023.
Salary needed to move
Using the price-level ratio (the salary-needed formula on our methodology page), here is the equivalent pay needed to hold the same standard of living when you move between Arizona and Colorado:
| If you earn this here… | …you'd need this there |
|---|---|
| $60,000 in Arizona | $61,441 in Colorado |
| $100,000 in Arizona | $102,402 in Colorado |
| $60,000 in Colorado | $58,592 in Arizona |
| $100,000 in Colorado | $97,654 in Arizona |
Verdict
On price level alone, Arizona stretches a paycheck further than Colorado by roughly 2.4%. But cost of living is only half the picture: Colorado has the higher median household income ($92,911), and neither figure accounts for state income tax, which can swing the real-world gap. Read each state's full page for context — Arizona and Colorado — and run your exact salary through the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arizona or Colorado cheaper to live in?
Arizona is the cheaper of the two: its overall price level is 99.9 versus 102.3 for Colorado on the BEA Regional Price Parity scale (US = 100), making Colorado about 2.4% more expensive. This is an estimate of overall prices; verify with the BEA.
What salary in Colorado matches $100,000 in Arizona?
About $102,402. Because Colorado's price level (102.3) is higher than Arizona's (99.9), $100,000 of Arizona buying power equals roughly $102,402 in Colorado. The reverse: $100,000 in Colorado is worth about $97,654 in Arizona. Estimate based on price level only — it ignores taxes and your job market.
Which state has higher incomes, Arizona or Colorado?
Colorado has the higher median household income: $92,911 versus $77,315 (US Census Bureau ACS 2023).
More comparisons
Last updated: 2026-06-18