Cost of Living in Wheat Ridge, CO
Population 32,158 · Colorado · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Home prices in Wheat Ridge run well above the national baseline, with a median of $585,000, though local incomes keep the cost-to-earnings ratio tighter than in coastal metros with comparable sticker prices. Median household earnings of $87,598 place the city among the better-paid Colorado metros.
Wheat Ridge sits roughly 5 miles southeast of Arvada — close enough that regional housing and labor patterns are shaped largely by the larger market. Housing prices track closely with Arvada's $601,000 median.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Wheat Ridge
The median home value in Wheat Ridge is $584,700 — 92% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,493/month, 14% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $87,598/year is 17% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.8%, 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, Wheat Ridge has a cost of living index of 160 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 60% more expensive.
🏠 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 Wheat Ridge, CO?
Wheat Ridge has a cost index of 160 (100 = national average). It is 60% above the national average.
What is average rent in Wheat Ridge, CO?
The median gross rent in Wheat Ridge is $1,493 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Wheat Ridge?
The median home value in Wheat Ridge is $584,700 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Wheat Ridge?
The median household income in Wheat Ridge is $87,598 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Wheat Ridge, CO?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Wheat Ridge is 7.8%. The Colorado state income tax top rate is 4.4%.
Is Wheat Ridge, CO affordable?
Wheat Ridge is above average in cost of living, with an index of 160 — about 60% higher than the national average.
Wheat Ridge at a Glance
- Population
- 32,158
- Median Income
- $87,598
- Home Value
- $584,700
- Median Rent
- $1,493/mo
- Unemployment
- 4.8%
- Sales Tax
- 7.8%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data
Colorado Rankings
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