Cost of Living in Penrose, CO

Population 3,978 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023

91
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Penrose is a smaller Colorado community of around 4000 residents, where median household incomes of $75,109 and housing costs ($276,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 9.0% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.

Located 25 miles west of Pueblo, Penrose falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 20% higher than Pueblo's $231,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 91

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

About the Cost of Living in Penrose

The median home value in Penrose is $276,100 — 9% below the national median of $305,000. The median household income of $75,109/year is 1% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 9.0%, 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, Penrose has a cost of living index of 91 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 9% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$276,100
9% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$263,921
Zillow ZHVI
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 83.9%
Renter-occupied 16.1%

🛒 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
29.2 min
8% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
11.0%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
82.8%
Carpooled
4.4%
Walked
1.0%
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
$75,109
1% above avg
Per Capita Income
$49,774
Unemployment Rate
9.0%
86% above avg
Poverty Rate
12.2%
Labor Force Participation
52.9%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 17.7%
Graduate degree 9.7%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 44.6
Male median age 44
Female median age 45.3

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 12 — Good
99.4%
Good air days/yr
71
Max AQI recorded
0
PM2.5 days
0
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Penrose, CO?

Penrose has a cost index of 91 (100 = national average). It is 9% below the national average.

What is the average home price in Penrose?

The median home value in Penrose is $276,100 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Penrose?

The median household income in Penrose is $75,109 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Penrose, CO?

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

Is Penrose, CO affordable?

Penrose is near the national average in terms of cost of living, with an index of 91 (100 = US average).