Cost of Living in Orchard Mesa, CO

Population 6,597 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023

108
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Under 25,000 residents gives Orchard Mesa a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $304,000. At 6.2%, the local unemployment rate runs well above the US figure, pointing to structural rather than cyclical labor-market issues.

Orchard Mesa lies roughly 185 miles east of the nearest major metro, Provo — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 30% lower than Provo's $437,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 100
Rent 121

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

About the Cost of Living in Orchard Mesa

The median home value in Orchard Mesa is $304,200 — equal to the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,588/month, 21% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $76,173/year is 2% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.2%, 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, Orchard Mesa has a cost of living index of 108 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 8% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$304,200
0% below avg
Median Rent
$1,588/mo
21% above avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.0x
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 84.8%
Renter-occupied 15.2%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,588
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,202/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
21.8 min
19% below avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
72.4%
Carpooled
11.2%
Public transit
0.5%
Walked
2.1%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
11.0%

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
$76,173
2% above avg
Per Capita Income
$30,637
Unemployment Rate
6.2%
28% above avg
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Labor Force Participation
58.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 16.1%
Graduate degree 5.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.6
Male median age 43.9
Female median age 45

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 46 — Good
67.4%
Good air days/yr
90
Max AQI recorded
64
PM2.5 days
301
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Orchard Mesa, CO?

Orchard Mesa has a cost index of 108 (100 = national average). It is 8% above the national average.

What is average rent in Orchard Mesa, CO?

The median gross rent in Orchard Mesa is $1,588 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Orchard Mesa?

The median home value in Orchard Mesa is $304,200 according to 2023 Census ACS data.

What is the median income in Orchard Mesa?

The median household income in Orchard Mesa is $76,173 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Orchard Mesa, CO?

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

Is Orchard Mesa, CO affordable?

Orchard Mesa is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 108 (100 = US average).

Orchard Mesa at a Glance

Population
6,597
Median Income
$76,173
Home Value
$304,200
Median Rent
$1,588/mo
Unemployment
6.2%
Sales Tax
7.8%
View all cities in Colorado →
🗺️ County data for Colorado

Explore county-level cost of living data

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