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Colorado

Cost of living in Otero County, CO

Estimated monthly cost
$2,649/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 18,460 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $711 27%
Healthcare $480 18%
Federal tax $428 16%
Groceries $359 14%
Transport $320 12%
Energy $158 6%
State tax $133 5%
Water $60 2%

Rent in Otero County

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$707
per month
1 bedroom
$711
per month
2 bedroom
$933
per month
3 bedroom
$1,297
per month
4 bedroom
$1,567
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Otero County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$54,897
per year
Individual earnings
$36,236
per year
Per capita
$28,634
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Otero County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$160,700
Annual property tax
$518

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Otero 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 Otero County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
7.1%

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 Otero 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 Otero County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.3 min
Drive alone
78.0%
Public transit
0.0%
Work from home
5.6%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Otero County

What it costs to live in Otero County each month.

Single person
$2,649
per month
  • Rent $711
  • Energy $158
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $359
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $428
  • State tax $133
Couple
$3,841
per month
  • Rent $933
  • Energy $190
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $595
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $568
  • State tax $201
Family
$6,361
per month
  • Rent $1,297
  • Energy $237
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $903
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $568
  • State tax $201

Frequently asked questions about Otero County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Otero County?

In Otero County, CO, a one-bedroom apartment averages $711 per month, a two-bedroom averages $933 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,297 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Otero County?

In Otero County, CO, the average household income is $54,897 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $36,236 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Otero County?

The estimated cost of living in Otero County, CO is approximately $2,649 per month for a single person, $3,841 for a couple, $6,361 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Otero County?

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

Is Otero County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Otero County, CO would need approximately $2,649 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $54,897 per year ($4,575 per month). Otero County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Otero County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Otero County, CO is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 7.1% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Otero County?

The average home value in Otero County, CO is $160,700, with average annual property taxes of $518, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Otero County compare to other areas?

You can compare Otero County, CO with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Otero 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 Otero 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