Colorado’s mountain views, craft beer and 300 days of sunshine now come with a price tag to match: The state is the third-most expensive in the country to live in, according to the Colorado Chamber of Commerce’s latest scorecard.
The ranking, released late last year and gaining renewed attention this month, shows Colorado’s affordability has plummeted in recent years. The state ranked 47th nationally in cost of living in 2025, down from 46th in 2024 and 34th in 2022 — a slide in each of the last four years. Housing is the primary culprit. Colorado now ranks 48th in housing affordability, with a statewide median home price of $540,000. In Denver County, the median listing price hit $535,000 in February, while even Pueblo County — long considered a bargain — posted a median of $349,900.
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