Cost of Living in Alamosa, CO

Population 9,847 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023

66
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

At $46,969, median household incomes in Alamosa land roughly 37% below the US median, a gap that tends to persist across local labor-market indicators. The labor market has been unusually tight, with unemployment around 1.7% — below most comparable cities in the state.

Located 90 miles southwest of Pueblo, Alamosa is far enough out that local conditions diverge meaningfully from the big-metro baseline. Median home values run roughly 13% lower than Pueblo's $231,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 66
Rent 67

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Alamosa

The median home value in Alamosa is $200,200 — 34% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $881/month, 33% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $46,969/year is 37% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 1.7%, below the national average of 4.8%. Colorado's top state income tax rate is 4.4% and the combined sales tax is 7.8%. Overall, Alamosa has a cost of living index of 66 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 34% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$200,200
34% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$307,004
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$881/mo
33% below avg
Zillow Rent
$1,300/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.9x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
0.6%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$884
1 BR
$960
2 BR
$1,251
3 BR
$1,611
4 BR
$2,004
Owner-occupied 43.8%
Renter-occupied 56.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$881
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,495/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
14.1 min
48% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
4.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
76.2%
Carpooled
10.1%
Walked
7.3%
Bicycle
0.3%
Work from home
4.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 4.4%
Total Sales Tax 7.8%
State rate 2.9%
Avg local rate 4.9%
Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$46,969
37% below avg
Per Capita Income
$26,077
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
64% below avg
Poverty Rate
17.8%
Labor Force Participation
61.8%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.1%
Graduate degree 13.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 29.4
Male median age 29.6
Female median age 29

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 22 — Good
86.1%
Good air days/yr
70
Max AQI recorded
158
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Alamosa, CO?

Alamosa has a cost index of 66 (100 = national average). It is 34% below the national average.

What is average rent in Alamosa, CO?

The median gross rent in Alamosa is $881 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Alamosa?

The median home value in Alamosa is $200,200 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Alamosa?

The median household income in Alamosa is $46,969 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Alamosa, CO?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Alamosa is 7.8%. The Colorado state income tax top rate is 4.4%.

Is Alamosa, CO affordable?

Yes, Alamosa is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 66 — about 34% below the US national average of 100.

Alamosa at a Glance

Population
9,847
Median Income
$46,969
Home Value
$200,200
Median Rent
$881/mo
Unemployment
1.7%
Sales Tax
7.8%
View all cities in Colorado →
🗺️ County data for Colorado

Explore county-level cost of living data

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