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Air Force Academy, CO

Stretch

The cost of living in Air Force Academy, CO is 7% above the national average (Cost Index: 107). Homes here are typically valued around N/A, compared to the $303,400 national median. The median household income is $93,889 — overall, living costs and earnings are reasonably balanced in this area.

Air Force Academy sits in the stretch zone: not impossible, but household feasibility will depend heavily on rent, down payment, debt load, and whether you are renting or buying. Start with the verdict panel, then compare scenarios before treating this city as affordable.Data Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 · BEA RPP 2023 · Zillow ZHVI

Data Updated: March 2026
Housing Feasibility Verdict
Safe

Based on your household income, housing mode, local rent, home value, property tax, and mortgage assumptions for Air Force Academy.

Monthly Housing
$2,223/mo
Lower of rent or buy scenario
Housing Burden
28%
Healthy
Residual Cash
$5,101/mo
After housing and debt · $1,700/person
Rent vs Buy
Buying can be tested
Main pressure: home prices
Assumptions
Housing Mode
Confidence: MediumHome source: ACSRent source: ACSBEA proxy: nonmetroHousehold size: 3Down payment: 20%Fixed burden: 35%
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Cost Index
107
Average
Based on housing costs · See methodology
Median Home Value
N/A
National: $303,400
Median Rent
$2,223/mo
Source: Census ACS
National: $1,348/mo
Household Income
$93,889
National: $78,538
Population
6,701
Purchasing Power
112
100 = national baseline

Cost of Living Breakdown

Each index uses 100 as the US national average. A score of 150 means 50% more expensive; 80 means 20% cheaper.

Housing Cost Index
100 / 100
Close to average
Rent Index
165 / 100
65% above average
Goods & Groceries
96 / 100
About the same as most US cities
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Utilities
88 / 100
12% lower utility bills
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Healthcare & Services
98 / 100
In line with national average
BEA State Nonmetro avg.
Overall Index
107
Average

Air Force Academy Mortgage Calculator

Pre-filled with the local median home value of $400,000 and Colorado's property tax rate of 0.51%.

Household Housing Budget

Local median household income helps frame typical housing pressure, rent burden, and how stretched a household budget may feel in this market.

Local Household Income
$93,889
Census ACS place context
Rent Burden Estimate
28%
Typical annual rent / local household income
Home Price to Income
N/A
Typical home value / local household income
Use this section to judge whether Air Force Academy looks structurally manageable for a household budget under your own housing assumptions.

Property Tax in Air Force Academy, CO

Est. Annual Property Tax
N/A
Monthly Impact
N/A
Added to your mortgage
Effective Rate
0.51%
National avg: ~1.00%

Colorado Place Tax Context

Tax TypeColoradoNational Avg
Property Tax Rate0.51%1.00%
Top Income Tax Rate4.4%~5.0%
State Sales Tax7.79%~5.0%

Compare Air Force Academy to Another City

Compare housing, rent, groceries, utilities, services, and tax context to see where a move would tighten or loosen the monthly budget.

Cost of Living Comparison

Compare place-side housing, rent, goods, services, and utility pressure between cities.

Air Force Academy, CO
107
165
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Cost Index Comparison (100 = National Avg)

Housing CostsNational Avg: 100
Air Force Academy, CO: 100
Rent Prices
165

FAQ: Living in Air Force Academy

What is the cost of living like in Air Force Academy, CO?+

Living costs in Air Force Academy land close to the national average, with a Cost Index of 107 (where 100 = the US baseline). Housing is the largest variable: the median home value here is N/A, and typical monthly rents run around $2,223. Groceries and utilities are slightly below what you would find in most US cities.

How does Air Force Academy fit a household housing budget?+

Start with housing. Typical monthly rent is $2,223, while local median household income is $93,889. That implies a rent-burden proxy of about 28% before utilities and other costs. Use that as a planning signal for whether the place looks manageable under your own household assumptions.

How much are taxes in Air Force Academy, CO?+

Colorado has a progressive state income tax with a top rate of 4.4%. The effective property tax rate is 0.51%. The statewide average property tax rate is 0.51%. Sales tax (state + local) averages around 7.79% on everyday purchases.

How much does it cost to rent in Air Force Academy, CO?+

The typical monthly rent in Air Force Academy is around $2,223. That's about 65% higher than the $1,348 national median.

Are groceries and utilities expensive in Air Force Academy?+

Grocery prices in Air Force Academy are about average compared to the rest of the US (index: 96, where 100 is the national average). Utility bills (electricity, gas, water) are below average (index: 88). Overall, these everyday costs shouldn't cause major surprises if you're moving from another similarly-sized US city.

What is Air Force Academy, CO like to live in?+

Air Force Academy is a small town with a population of about 6,701. The median age of residents is 20.9, skewing younger — often a sign of a college town or fast-growing area. The local poverty rate is 17.58%, above the national average of 12.4%.

Lower-Pressure Alternatives in Colorado

If Air Force Academy feels tight, start with these same-state cities that look easier on rent burden or buy-side pressure.

Higher-Pressure Comparisons in Colorado

Use these city pages when you want to compare Air Force Academy against tougher same-state markets before deciding whether the current city is already a stretch.

LC
Reviewed by LivabilityCalc Research Team
Financial Data Analysts · Census & Economic Data Specialists
Data Sources & Methodology
  • Real Estate & Housing: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI, Smoothed & Seasonally Adjusted) and Zillow Observed Rent Index (ZORI). Structural fallback utilizes U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates.
  • Goods, Utilities & Services: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Metropolitan Area Regional Price Parities (MARPP), incorporating verified State Nonmetropolitan averages.
  • Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States (PMMS) via Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).
  • Tax Context: State-level property, sales, and income-tax inputs used to explain how relocation budgets and housing pressure change from one place to another.
  • Index Methodology: Weighting matrix derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Surveys (CEX) distributional models. Baseline standardized at 100. (Read methodology details)
Last data update: March 2026 · Mortgage rates updated monthly