Arizona
107.6
composite · rank #36
- Housing
- 119
- Grocery
- 99.6
- Utilities
- 102.1
Compare different states
Q1 2026
Q1 2026Arizona vs Colorado Cost of Living
Colorado has the lower cost of living by 5.8 index points. Compare category indexes and equivalent salaries in both directions.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Lower cost of living
Colorado is lower
5.8 index points lower. A $100,000 lifestyle in Arizona is roughly $94,610 in Colorado.
Side-by-side cost of living scoreboard
Colorado
101.8
composite · rank #34
- Housing
- 107.4
- Grocery
- 100.9
- Utilities
- 88.7
Category-by-category comparison
| Category | Arizona | Colorado | Lower cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 99.6 | 100.9 | Arizona |
| Housing | 119 | 107.4 | Colorado |
| Utilities | 102.1 | 88.7 | Colorado |
| Transportation | 103.5 | 89.1 | Colorado |
| Health care | 98.8 | 103.9 | Arizona |
| Misc. goods & services | 104.9 | 103.5 | Colorado |
Grocery
Arizona99.6
Colorado100.9
Lower cost: Arizona
Housing
Arizona119
Colorado107.4
Lower cost: Colorado
Utilities
Arizona102.1
Colorado88.7
Lower cost: Colorado
Transportation
Arizona103.5
Colorado89.1
Lower cost: Colorado
Health care
Arizona98.8
Colorado103.9
Lower cost: Arizona
Misc. goods & services
Arizona104.9
Colorado103.5
Lower cost: Colorado
Equivalent salary examples
Salary needed in the destination state to match purchasing power in the origin state.
| Origin salary | Needed in Colorado | Needed in Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $47,305 | $52,849 |
| $75,000 | $70,957 | $79,273 |
| $100,000 | $94,610 | $105,697 |
| $150,000 | $141,914 | $158,546 |
| $250,000 | $236,524 | $264,244 |
$50,000 origin salary
In Colorado$47,305
In Arizona$52,849
$75,000 origin salary
In Colorado$70,957
In Arizona$79,273
$100,000 origin salary
In Colorado$94,610
In Arizona$105,697
$150,000 origin salary
In Colorado$141,914
In Arizona$158,546
Housing gap
Arizona housing is 119; Colorado is 107.4.
Salary planning
$100,000 in Arizona is roughly $94,610 in Colorado.
Statewide averages
Indexes average participating urban areas. Local rents and wages can differ sharply inside either state.
Arizona vs Colorado cost of living FAQs
Colorado has the lower cost of living by 5.8 index points. The composite indexes are 107.6 in Arizona and 101.8 in Colorado (US average = 100).
About $94,610 in Colorado would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Arizona, based on the composite indexes.
About $105,697 in Arizona would provide similar statewide purchasing power to $100,000 in Colorado.
Housing indexes are 119 in Arizona and 107.4 in Colorado. Housing is often the largest driver, but groceries, utilities, transportation, health care, and other goods also matter.
No. These are statewide averages of participating urban areas. Your city, neighborhood, housing choice, family size, and spending mix can produce a very different personal cost of living.
Colorado has the lower average index, but wages, taxes, insurance, schools, and job opportunities should also be compared.
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Composite index, category costs, and equivalent-salary examples.
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Data period Q1 2026. Statewide urban-area averages; not personal budget calculations.