Cost of Living in Pueblo, CO
Pueblo is about 11% cheaper than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Pueblo at a Glance
On the median income of $55,194, state income tax is roughly $2,429/year.
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Pueblo is Colorado's best-kept affordable secret. The most affordable city of any size along the Front Range, with a cost of living about 14.5% below the national average. The Chile & Frijoles Festival celebrates the Pueblo chile pepper. The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk provides downtown character. Colorado Springs is 45 minutes north; Denver is two hours.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Pueblo
Colorado sunshine and outdoor access at a fraction of Front Range prices. The Riverwalk has been revitalized. Lake Pueblo State Park provides water recreation. The 4.4% flat income tax applies statewide. For remote workers wanting Colorado at bargain prices, Pueblo is the answer.
Neighborhoods
The Riverwalk area downtown has been revitalized. The Mesa Junction neighborhood has character. The Belmont area is established residential. For the most affordable options, the east side offers the lowest prices.
Things to Consider
The job market is limited and lower-paying than the Front Range cities. Some areas have elevated crime and poverty. The city has struggled economically relative to Colorado's booming metros. Pueblo can feel isolated from the Front Range cultural scene despite being only 45 minutes from Colorado Springs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pueblo
Yes, and it has the sunshine to prove it: 300+ days per year. Pueblo sits on the Arkansas River at 4,700 feet elevation with the Spanish Peaks visible to the south. It just happens to cost far less than Denver or Colorado Springs.
About 110 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes on I-25. Colorado Springs is 45 minutes north. The distance provides price insulation from the Front Range boom.
The Pueblo chile pepper (Mirasol variety) has been grown in the region since the early 1900s. The annual Chile & Frijoles Festival roasts tons of chiles every September. Pueblo chile appears on everything from burgers to pizza to ice cream locally. It has a distinct flavor different from Hatch chiles.