What your paycheck buys · Updated every Friday

What a paycheck buys in Colorado this week

Out of reach · #37 of 50 on affordability · rate for the week of October 22, 2026

A median Colorado household earning $102,500 a year can afford a home of about $324,000 at this week’s 7.32% average 30-year rate. The median Colorado listing is $564,000, which would take 48.8% of that household’s gross income, against the usual 28% ceiling.

$324,000

Affordable home price

+$2,134 vs. last week · −$43,003 vs. a year ago

$564,000

Median list price (September 2026)

−$13,500 vs. a year earlier

Affordability index (100 = within reach)

U.S. 66 · Colorado 64 a year ago

48.8%

Share of income the median listing takes

$4,168/mo incl. taxes & insurance · U.S. 42.5%

$103,000

Median household income (2025)

U.S. $87,000

#37

Rank of 50 (1 = most affordable)

See the full ranking

Compared with a year ago

A year ago, with the 30-year rate at 6.19%, a median list price of $577,500 and median income of $105,500 (2024 figure), the same household could afford about $367,000 and the median listing took 44.1% of income. Affordability in Colorado has worsened since then.

Nearby in the ranking

#35 Arizona: can afford $273,000, median listing $460,000
#36 Nevada: can afford $281,000, median listing $480,000
#38 Utah: can afford $325,000, median listing $579,000
#39 Washington: can afford $355,000, median listing $639,000

Colorado housing market report → · Colorado brokerage directory → · Run your own numbers →

How this is calculated: 28% of gross monthly income for housing, 10% down, a 30-year fixed loan at Freddie Mac’s weekly average, and 1.45% of the price a year for taxes and insurance. Full method, caveats, and sources on the main index page. An educational gauge, not a mortgage quote.