CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Grand Junction is moderately cheaper than Washington — 14.0% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $91,200 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+74.9%
Grand Junction
86.4
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+9.1%
Grand Junction
96.1
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+2.5%
Grand Junction
104.8
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.5%
Grand Junction
94.8
Washington
97.2
Utilities+28.1%
Grand Junction
83.3
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction to see what you'd need to earn in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$91,200
$11,200 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1403. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 74.9% higher housing costs compared to Grand Junction.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.