Cost of Living in Arvada, CO

Population 122,835 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023

173
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Arvada run well above the national baseline, with a median of $601,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $113,396 place the city among the better-paid Colorado metros.

Cost Overview

Housing 197
Rent 137

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

About the Cost of Living in Arvada

The median home value in Arvada is $600,800 — 97% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,802/month, 37% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $113,396/year is 52% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.9%, 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, Arvada has a cost of living index of 173 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 73% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$600,800
97% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$608,987
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,802/mo
37% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,052/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
27.8x
Favors renting
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 74.9%
Renter-occupied 25.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,802
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,416/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
28.7 min
6% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
21.9%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
69.2%
Carpooled
5.1%
Public transit
1.7%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.1%
Work from home
21.9%

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
$113,396
52% above avg
Per Capita Income
$56,655
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
19% below avg
Poverty Rate
6.0%
Labor Force Participation
71.4%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 31.7%
Graduate degree 18.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 40.2
Male median age 38.7
Female median age 41.8

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 49 — Good
56.4%
Good air days/yr
143
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
363
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Arvada, CO?

Arvada has a cost index of 173 (100 = national average). It is 73% above the national average.

What is average rent in Arvada, CO?

The median gross rent in Arvada is $1,802 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Arvada?

The median home value in Arvada is $600,800 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Arvada?

The median household income in Arvada is $113,396 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Arvada, CO?

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

Is Arvada, CO affordable?

Arvada is above average in cost of living, with an index of 173 — about 73% higher than the national average.

Arvada at a Glance

Population
122,835
Median Income
$113,396
Home Value
$600,800
Median Rent
$1,802/mo
Unemployment
3.9%
Sales Tax
7.8%
View all cities in Colorado →
🗺️ County data for Colorado

Explore county-level cost of living data

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