Salary Needed to Live in Durango as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $67,790/year to live comfortably in Durango, CO, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $67,790/year to live comfortably in Durango, CO. The bare-minimum salary is $58,504/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,017.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,559/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,649/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$67,790
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$58,504
$4,875/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,559
0% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Durango
| Expense | Durango | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,145 | $1,351 | -15% |
| Groceries | $219 | $207 | +6% |
| Utilities | $179 | $169 | +6% |
| Transportation | $377 | $316 | +19% |
| Car Insurance | $217 | $215 | +1% |
| Health Insurance | $660 | $642 | +3% |
| Internet | $77 | $65 | +18% |
| Phone | $100 | $85 | +18% |
| Dining & Social | $354 | $300 | +18% |
| Entertainment | $142 | $120 | +18% |
| Personal Care | $89 | $75 | +19% |
| Total Monthly | $3,559 | $3,545 | 0% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,559
Target savings (10%):$458/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,017
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$67,790
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,145
Studio/1BR rent is 32% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$458/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
118/100
Durango is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,145/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $762/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $58,504/year as the survival floor and $67,790/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Durango
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Durango?
A single person needs approximately $67,790/year ($5,649/month gross) to live comfortably in Durango with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Durango?
A studio/1br in Durango costs approximately $1,145/month, which is the largest single expense at 32% of the total budget.
Is Durango affordable for a single person?
Durango is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.