Cost of Living in Rifle, CO

Population 10,466 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023

112
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Rifle is a smaller Colorado community of around 10000 residents, where median household incomes of $80,629 and housing costs ($378,000 for a typical home) give the local cost-of-living profile a distinctly small-town shape.

Rifle lies roughly 140 miles west of the nearest major metro, Boulder — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Median home values run roughly 62% lower than Boulder's $983,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 124
Rent 94

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

About the Cost of Living in Rifle

The median home value in Rifle is $377,900 — 24% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,231/month, 6% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $80,629/year is 8% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.3%, 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, Rifle has a cost of living index of 112 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 12% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$377,900
24% above avg
Zillow Home Value
$487,993
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,231/mo
6% below avg
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.6x
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 70.6%
Renter-occupied 29.4%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,231
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $1,845/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
32.7 min
21% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
6.2%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
75.6%
Carpooled
16.2%
Public transit
0.3%
Walked
0.4%
Bicycle
0.9%
Work from home
6.2%

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
$80,629
8% above avg
Per Capita Income
$33,827
Unemployment Rate
4.3%
12% below avg
Poverty Rate
5.4%
Labor Force Participation
79.3%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 13.5%
Graduate degree 4.6%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 32.3
Male median age 32.4
Female median age 32.2

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 54 — Moderate
45.5%
Good air days/yr
126
Max AQI recorded
5
PM2.5 days
360
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Rifle, CO?

Rifle has a cost index of 112 (100 = national average). It is 12% above the national average.

What is average rent in Rifle, CO?

The median gross rent in Rifle is $1,231 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Rifle?

The median home value in Rifle is $377,900 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Rifle?

The median household income in Rifle is $80,629 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Rifle, CO?

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

Is Rifle, CO affordable?

Rifle is above average in cost of living, with an index of 112 — about 12% higher than the national average.

Rifle at a Glance

Population
10,466
Median Income
$80,629
Home Value
$377,900
Median Rent
$1,231/mo
Unemployment
4.3%
Sales Tax
7.8%
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🗺️ County data for Colorado

Explore county-level cost of living data

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