Cost of Living in Jackson County, Colorado
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Jackson County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Jackson County ranks #566 of 3,144 counties for affordability (top 18%)
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Jackson County, Colorado
Jackson's crisis: rents devour income
Jackson County residents spend a shocking 42.6% of income on rent—nearly double the national affordability threshold. With a median income of just $41,809 (44% below the national median) and median rents of $1,484, Jackson faces a severe housing affordability crisis.
Colorado's least affordable county
Jackson's rent-to-income ratio of 42.6% is catastrophically above Colorado's 20.2% state average, making it by far the state's least affordable county. This extreme gap signals a fundamental mismatch between local incomes and housing costs.
Jackson's rents tower over region
Jackson's median rent of $1,484 is comparable to Grand County ($1,451), but Jackson's median income ($41,809) is a fraction of Grand's ($84,558). This deadly combination makes Jackson's affordability crisis unique in the region.
Housing swallows most income
Jackson renters spend $1,484 monthly—42.6% of a $41,809 annual income—leaving minimal funds for food, healthcare, and transportation. Even homeowners at $531/month face tight budgets; the real crisis is renters trapped in an unaffordable market.
Avoid Jackson unless high-earning
Jackson County is unaffordable for those dependent on local wages; renters spend over 40% of income on housing. If you're considering a move here, ensure your income significantly exceeds the local median or you'll face genuine hardship.
Cost of Living Advisory: Jackson County
Affordability Verdict
Jackson County offers cost-burdened rental housing at a median of $1,484/month — about 42.6% of the typical household income here.
Rent vs. Own
At $1,484/month rent versus $531/month in owner costs, owning is roughly $953/month cheaper — a 64% difference.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $59,360/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $22,757/year. With a median household income of $41,809, the median income falls short of the rent-affordability threshold. Notably, 29.0% of renter households in Jackson County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Within Colorado, Jackson County is more affordable than Archuleta County by roughly 5% ($1,484/mo vs $1,409/mo).
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Jackson County
Rent Burden
42.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$976
per month
Owner Cost Burden
15.2%
of gross income
The median home in Jackson County may be a stretch
Median home value is $250,000. Estimated monthly cost: $1,996 vs. your max of $976.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.
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