Cost of Living in Costilla County, Colorado

$857/mo

Median Monthly Rent

$171,300

Median Home Value

32% below state averageUnaffordable

At a Glance

Median Monthly Rent

$857/mo

32% below state average

Median Home Value

$171,300

39% below national

Rent-to-Income Ratio

40.0%

% of income spent on rent

Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)

Affordability Rating

Unaffordable

Rent over 50% of income

How Costilla County Compares

Median monthly rent comparison

Costilla County$857/mo

Colorado Average$1,253/mo

National Median$1,163/mo

Detailed Housing Stats

$857/mo

Median Gross Rent

$171,300

Median Home Value

$466/mo

Monthly Owner Cost

40.0%

Rent-to-Income Ratio

Data Story

About Cost of Living in Costilla County, Colorado

Costilla struggles with affordability stress

Costilla County's rent-to-income ratio of 28.2% is among Colorado's worst and far exceeds the national average, placing severe affordability strain on renters. With a median household income of just $36,519, this county struggles with the gap between wages and housing costs.

Colorado's most unaffordable rental market

Costilla ranks as one of Colorado's least affordable counties, with a 28.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average by 8 percentage points. This southern county faces the steepest housing affordability crisis among these eight counties.

Lowest income, highest cost burden

Costilla's $857 median rent is comparable to Cheyenne's ($862), but its $36,519 median income is $31,249 below Cheyenne—creating a far steeper affordability burden. This income-to-rent mismatch makes Costilla uniquely challenging for renters.

Rent dominates household budgets

Costilla renters spend a crushing 28.2% of their $36,519 median income on monthly rent, leaving minimal resources for utilities, food, and transportation. Homeowners fare slightly better at 15.3% of income, but the county's low incomes strain all household budgets.

Relocating to Costilla requires careful planning

This county offers the lowest home values ($171,300) and modest rents, but only works for those with remote income or substantial savings cushion. Without supplemental earnings, housing affordability remains the county's defining challenge.

Affordability Calculator

See how your income compares to housing costs in Costilla County

Your Annual Household Income

Rent Burden

28.2%

of gross income

Max Housing (28% Rule)

$852

per month

Owner Cost Burden

15.3%

of gross income

The median home in Costilla County may be a stretch

Median home value is $171,300. Estimated monthly cost: $1,368 vs. your max of $852.

Rent Affordability Guide

Your rent-to-income ratio28.2%

Recommended max30.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Costilla County, Colorado?

Costilla County, Colorado has a median monthly rent of $857/mo and a median home value of $171,300. The affordability rating is Unaffordable, with rent making up approximately 40.0% of median household income.

What is the median rent in Costilla County?

The median gross rent in Costilla County is $857/mo. This is 32% below state average for Colorado.

Is Costilla County affordable?

Costilla County is rated Unaffordable based on rent-to-income ratio of 40.0%. Spending over 50% of income on rent is generally considered unaffordable.

How does Costilla County's rent compare to the state average?

Costilla County's median rent of $857/mo is 32% below state average of $1,253/mo for Colorado.

What is the median home value in Costilla County?

The median home value in Costilla County, Colorado is $171,300. This is 39% below the national median home value of $281,900.