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Colorado

Cost of living in Chaffee County, CO

Estimated monthly cost
$2,946/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 19,876 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $994 34%
Federal tax $497 17%
Healthcare $480 16%
Groceries $359 12%
Transport $250 8%
Energy $158 5%
State tax $148 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Chaffee County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$987
per month
1 bedroom
$994
per month
2 bedroom
$1,304
per month
3 bedroom
$1,827
per month
4 bedroom
$2,180
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Chaffee County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$70,909
per year
Individual earnings
$40,471
per year
Per capita
$43,357
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Chaffee County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$598,500
Annual property tax
$1,664

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Chaffee County

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$106
per month · 15.2¢/kWh
Natural gas
$52
per month
Annual total
$1,896
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Chaffee County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.3%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Chaffee County

State and local tax rates for Colorado.

State income tax
4.4%
Flat rate
State sales tax
2.9%
Combined sales tax
7.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Chaffee County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
17.3 min
Drive alone
60.8%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
19.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Chaffee County

What it costs to live in Chaffee County each month.

Single person
$2,946
per month
  • Rent $994
  • Energy $158
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $359
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $497
  • State tax $148
Couple
$4,463
per month
  • Rent $1,304
  • Energy $190
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $595
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $830
  • State tax $260
Family
$7,142
per month
  • Rent $1,827
  • Energy $237
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $903
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $830
  • State tax $260

Frequently asked questions about Chaffee County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Chaffee County?

In Chaffee County, CO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $994 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,304 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,827 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Chaffee County?

In Chaffee County, CO, the average household income is $70,909 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $40,471 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Chaffee County?

The estimated cost of living in Chaffee County, CO is approximately $2,946 per month for a single person, $4,463 for a couple, $7,142 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Chaffee County?

The combined sales tax rate in Chaffee County, CO is 7.77%, which includes the Colorado state rate of 2.90% plus an average local rate of 4.87%.

Is Chaffee County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Chaffee County, CO would need approximately $2,946 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $70,909 per year ($5,909 per month). Chaffee County is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in Chaffee County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Chaffee County, CO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.3% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Chaffee County?

The average home value in Chaffee County, CO is $598,500, with average annual property taxes of $1,664, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Chaffee County compare to other areas?

You can compare Chaffee County, CO with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Chaffee County is in Colorado.

Other counties in Colorado

Browse the full list of counties in Colorado, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in Colorado

Compare Chaffee County with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources