Cost of Living in Gunnison, CO
Population 6,712 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
With a median age of 26 and an unusually high bachelor's-degree rate of 39%, Gunnison is shaped heavily by its student population. That also means median household incomes of $55,313 skew low — the count includes students — while working-household figures run considerably higher. A poverty rate near 26% adds context to the income figures — well above the US average, and worth factoring into any comparison with cities on the coasts or in the Rockies.
Gunnison lies roughly 120 miles west of the nearest major metro, Colorado Springs — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Colorado Springs' $421,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Gunnison
The median home value in Gunnison is $432,200 — 42% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,120/month, 15% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $55,313/year is 26% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.3%, above 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, Gunnison has a cost of living index of 119 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 19% more expensive.
Gunnison has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
💨 Air Quality
EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Gunnison, CO?
Gunnison has a cost index of 119 (100 = national average). It is 19% above the national average.
What is average rent in Gunnison, CO?
The median gross rent in Gunnison is $1,120 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Gunnison?
The median home value in Gunnison is $432,200 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Gunnison?
The median household income in Gunnison is $55,313 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Gunnison, CO?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Gunnison is 7.8%. The Colorado state income tax top rate is 4.4%.
Is Gunnison, CO affordable?
Gunnison is above average in cost of living, with an index of 119 — about 19% higher than the national average.
Gunnison at a Glance
- Population
- 6,712
- Median Income
- $55,313
- Home Value
- $432,200
- Median Rent
- $1,120/mo
- Unemployment
- 5.3%
- Sales Tax
- 7.8%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Colorado Rankings
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