Cost of Living in Erie, CO

Population 31,927 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023

219
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Home prices in Erie run well above the national baseline, with a median of $686,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $163,644 place the city among the better-paid Colorado metros.

Geographically, Erie sits roughly 10 miles northwest of Thornton. Median home values run roughly 42% higher than Thornton's $482,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 225
Rent 211

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

About the Cost of Living in Erie

The median home value in Erie is $685,900 — 125% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $2,775/month, 111% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $163,644/year is 119% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 3.6%, 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, Erie has a cost of living index of 219 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 119% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$685,900
125% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$719,917
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$2,775/mo
111% above avg
Zillow Rent
$2,511/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.6x
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 87.9%
Renter-occupied 12.1%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$2,775
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $3,389/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
29.3 min
9% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
29.8%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
60.7%
Carpooled
6.0%
Public transit
1.5%
Walked
0.9%
Bicycle
0.5%
Work from home
29.8%

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
$163,644
119% above avg
Per Capita Income
$62,726
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
25% below avg
Poverty Rate
3.0%
Labor Force Participation
76.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 38.2%
Graduate degree 28.3%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 37.6
Male median age 37.5
Female median age 37.7

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 55 — Moderate
40%
Good air days/yr
162
Max AQI recorded
102
PM2.5 days
263
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Erie, CO?

Erie has a cost index of 219 (100 = national average). It is 119% above the national average.

What is average rent in Erie, CO?

The median gross rent in Erie is $2,775 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Erie?

The median home value in Erie is $685,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Erie?

The median household income in Erie is $163,644 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Erie, CO?

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

Is Erie, CO affordable?

Erie is above average in cost of living, with an index of 219 — about 119% higher than the national average.

Erie at a Glance

Population
31,927
Median Income
$163,644
Home Value
$685,900
Median Rent
$2,775/mo
Unemployment
3.6%
Sales Tax
7.8%
View all cities in Colorado →
🗺️ County data for Colorado

Explore county-level cost of living data

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