Colorado vs Virginia Cost of Living
Purchasing power
Your $75,000 is worth different amounts in each state
$72,745
in Colorado
$73,386
in Virginia
Each cell = 1% of purchasing power. Green = value, red = gap.
Spending breakdown
Estimated annual spending on a $75,000 salary
What things actually cost
Real dollar costs side by side
Category breakdown
| Category | Colorado | Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 108.8 | 106.7 | +2% |
| Groceries | 101.2 | 99.7 | +2% |
| Utilities | 88.4 | 97.5 | -9% |
| Transportation | 97.5 | 95.5 | +2% |
| Healthcare | 106.3 | 107.6 | -1% |
| Dining & Misc | 103.8 | 101.5 | +2% |
| Overall | 103.1 | 102.2 | +1% |
Index values relative to national average (100). Positive difference = more expensive in Colorado.
What things actually cost
| Item | Colorado | Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $530,000 | $380,000 | +$150,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,523/mo | $1,494/mo | +$29 |
| Gas price | $3.53/gal | $3.32/gal | +$0.21 |
| Electric bill | $107/mo | $94/mo | +$13 |
| Infant childcare | $21,840/yr | $14,277/yr | +$7,563 |
Salary equivalent: Colorado → Virginia
What a Colorado salary buys you in Virginia, adjusted for cost of living.
| Salary in Colorado | Equivalent in Virginia | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $49,564 | +$436 |
| $75,000 | $74,345 | +$655 |
| $100,000 | $99,127 | +$873 |
| $150,000 | $148,691 | +$1,309 |
| $200,000 | $198,254 | +$1,746 |
Positive = your money goes further in Virginia. Based on overall COL index ratio.
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices. Dollar amounts from AAA, EIA, Zillow, and Child Care Aware.
Overview
Colorado and Virginia have nearly identical costs of living, with overall indices of 103.1 and 102.2 (national average = 100).
FAQ
Is it cheaper to live in Colorado or Virginia?
Colorado and Virginia have roughly the same cost of living, with less than 1% difference in the MERIC/C2ER composite index.
Is Virginia cheaper than Colorado?
Colorado and Virginia cost roughly the same to live in.
Is Colorado more expensive than Virginia?
Colorado and Virginia have nearly identical costs of living — the difference is less than 1%.
What salary in Virginia equals $100,000 in Colorado?
To maintain the same purchasing power as a $100,000 salary in Colorado, you would need approximately $99,127 in Virginia. This is based on the overall cost-of-living index (103.1 vs 102.2).
How do housing costs compare between Colorado and Virginia?
Housing is significantly cheaper in Virginia. Median home prices are $530,000 in Colorado vs $380,000 in Virginia — a $150,000 difference. Average 2-bedroom rent is $1,523/mo vs $1,494/mo.
What costs more in Colorado vs Virginia?
Utilities is 9% lower in Colorado (index 88.4 vs 97.5). Dining & Misc is 2% higher in Colorado (index 103.8 vs 101.5). Housing is 2% higher in Colorado (index 108.8 vs 106.7).
Is gas cheaper in Colorado or Virginia?
Gas averages $3.53/gallon in Colorado and $3.32/gallon in Virginia — a $0.21 difference per gallon.
Colorado vs Virginia cost of living — how do they compare?
Colorado has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.1 and Virginia has 102.2 (national average = 100). They are nearly identical. Use the calculator above to see how this affects your specific salary.
How do taxes compare between Colorado and Virginia?
Cost of living is only part of the picture — state income taxes also affect your take-home pay. Use the Colorado vs Virginia paycheck comparison to see how a specific salary compares after federal and state taxes, FICA, and deductions.
Where does this cost of living data come from?
Cost-of-living indices are from the MERIC/C2ER 2025 Annual Average. Dollar amounts use AAA gas prices (March 2025), EIA electricity rates (2024), Child Care Aware childcare costs (2024), Zillow home values (2024-2025), and BEA Regional Price Parities.
Related tools
- Colorado Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Virginia Cost of Living — Housing, groceries, gas, and more
- Colorado vs Virginia Paycheck Comparison — Compare take-home pay after taxes
- House Affordability in Colorado — How much house can you afford?
- House Affordability in Virginia — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Based on MERIC/C2ER 2025 composite indices and publicly available price data. Cost of living varies significantly by metro area within a state. These are statewide averages.