Cost of Living in Derby, CO

Population 8,692 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023

115
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Derby sits on the smaller end of the Colorado city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Geographically, Derby sits roughly 6 miles south of Thornton. Median home values run roughly 34% lower than Thornton's $482,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 104
Rent 131

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

About the Cost of Living in Derby

The median home value in Derby is $317,400 — 4% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,721/month, 31% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $78,696/year is 6% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.7%, 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, Derby has a cost of living index of 115 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 15% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$317,400
4% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$533,560
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,721/mo
31% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4x
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 66.8%
Renter-occupied 33.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,721
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,335/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
29.5 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
5.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
80.6%
Carpooled
7.3%
Public transit
3.8%
Walked
2.1%
Work from home
5.8%

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
$78,696
6% above avg
Per Capita Income
$28,073
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
3% below avg
Poverty Rate
7.9%
Labor Force Participation
66.1%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 7.7%
Graduate degree 2.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.2
Male median age 29.9
Female median age 35.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 51 — Moderate
49%
Good air days/yr
174
Max AQI recorded
112
PM2.5 days
180
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Derby, CO?

Derby has a cost index of 115 (100 = national average). It is 15% above the national average.

What is average rent in Derby, CO?

The median gross rent in Derby is $1,721 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Derby?

The median home value in Derby is $317,400 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Derby?

The median household income in Derby is $78,696 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Derby, CO?

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

Is Derby, CO affordable?

Derby is above average in cost of living, with an index of 115 — about 15% higher than the national average.