Grand Junction, CO vs Lake Havasu City, AZ: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Lake Havasu City, AZ is 1.4% less expensive than Grand Junction, CO (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Grand Junction works out to about $73,900 in Lake Havasu City, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 7.6% less in Lake Havasu City. Goods are 0.2% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,540 a month in Lake Havasu City and $1,730 in Grand Junction, $2,280 a year less in Lake Havasu City (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $350,000 in Lake Havasu City and $429,000 in Grand Junction.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Lake Havasu City was 10.3% less expensive than Grand Junction.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 7.6% lower in Lake Havasu City than in Grand Junction
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
All items Grand Junction, CO: 95.5 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 94.1
Goods Grand Junction, CO: 96.1 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 96.2
Housing (rents) Grand Junction, CO: 86.4 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 79.8
Utilities Grand Junction, CO: 83.3 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 88.7
Other services Grand Junction, CO: 99.8 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 99.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.5 | 94.1 |
| Goods | 96.1 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 86.4 | 79.8 |
| Utilities | 83.3 | 88.7 |
| Other services | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| Category | Grand Junction | Lake Havasu City | Lake Havasu City vs Grand Junction |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.5 | 94.1 | −1.4% |
| Goods | 96.1 | 96.2 | +0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 86.4 | 79.8 | −7.6% |
| Utilities | 83.3 | 88.7 | +6.5% |
| Other services | 99.8 | 99.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,730 | $1,540 | −11.0% |
| Typical home value | $429,000 | $350,000 | −18.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Grand Junction | $75,000 | $73,900 | −1.4% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Grand Junction and Lake Havasu City has narrowed since 2008: 10.0 points then, 1.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 103.7 | 93.8 |
| 2009 | 98.9 | 97.3 |
| 2010 | 97.6 | 94.6 |
| 2011 | 99.7 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 97.6 | 95.5 |
| 2013 | 96.4 | 95.0 |
| 2014 | 98.9 | 92.3 |
| 2015 | 98.6 | 92.2 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 93.0 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 93.8 |
| 2018 | 94.0 | 89.8 |
| 2019 | 98.5 | 88.4 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 87.7 |
| 2021 | 92.1 | 89.3 |
| 2022 | 93.8 | 92.8 |
| 2023 | 92.8 | 90.5 |
| 2024 | 95.5 | 94.1 |
Goods
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.7 | 95.4 |
| 2009 | 100.1 | 101.3 |
| 2010 | 98.7 | 97.3 |
| 2011 | 98.1 | 98.7 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 99.7 |
| 2013 | 96.4 | 97.9 |
| 2014 | 98.2 | 96.2 |
| 2015 | 103.9 | 95.0 |
| 2016 | 104.9 | 94.4 |
| 2017 | 101.1 | 99.7 |
| 2018 | 96.0 | 95.7 |
| 2019 | 99.2 | 99.0 |
| 2020 | 96.1 | 96.5 |
| 2021 | 96.3 | 96.6 |
| 2022 | 96.4 | 97.7 |
| 2023 | 96.3 | 96.8 |
| 2024 | 96.1 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 117.8 | 82.8 |
| 2009 | 96.4 | 86.3 |
| 2010 | 96.2 | 79.8 |
| 2011 | 107.6 | 74.6 |
| 2012 | 102.9 | 76.3 |
| 2013 | 90.3 | 77.6 |
| 2014 | 101.1 | 70.1 |
| 2015 | 89.9 | 70.0 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 75.6 |
| 2017 | 97.9 | 71.1 |
| 2018 | 89.0 | 69.5 |
| 2019 | 105.5 | 58.9 |
| 2020 | 96.4 | 64.0 |
| 2021 | 88.9 | 73.3 |
| 2022 | 96.2 | 86.3 |
| 2023 | 87.7 | 77.8 |
| 2024 | 86.4 | 79.8 |
Utilities
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 75.6 | 90.7 |
| 2009 | 77.7 | 92.1 |
| 2010 | 86.5 | 100.9 |
| 2011 | 90.8 | 102.2 |
| 2012 | 90.4 | 104.9 |
| 2013 | 90.2 | 101.2 |
| 2014 | 91.6 | 105.4 |
| 2015 | 90.4 | 105.0 |
| 2016 | 94.0 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 91.2 | 94.6 |
| 2018 | 81.6 | 89.4 |
| 2019 | 85.3 | 91.1 |
| 2020 | 84.7 | 90.2 |
| 2021 | 80.3 | 82.7 |
| 2022 | 84.8 | 84.2 |
| 2023 | 80.1 | 82.6 |
| 2024 | 83.3 | 88.7 |
Other services
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.5 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 100.5 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 98.1 | 100.2 |
| 2011 | 98.5 | 103.9 |
| 2012 | 96.6 | 103.4 |
| 2013 | 99.4 | 102.1 |
| 2014 | 99.0 | 102.5 |
| 2015 | 99.2 | 100.9 |
| 2016 | 95.6 | 100.4 |
| 2017 | 99.4 | 101.2 |
| 2018 | 95.6 | 96.5 |
| 2019 | 96.5 | 97.4 |
| 2020 | 94.7 | 94.7 |
| 2021 | 91.1 | 92.0 |
| 2022 | 91.6 | 92.5 |
| 2023 | 93.1 | 93.3 |
| 2024 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,540 in Lake Havasu City vs $1,730 in Grand Junction
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $874 | $766 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $900 | $775 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $895 | $780 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $892 | $801 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $901 | $798 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $924 | $812 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $930 | $829 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $910 | $827 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $937 | $846 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $969 | $872 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $965 | $875 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $977 | $902 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,000 | $899 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,024 | $932 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,040 | $941 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,051 | $946 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,074 | $984 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,098 | $1,004 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,120 | $1,021 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,106 | $1,019 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,115 | $1,048 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,144 | $1,068 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,175 | $1,100 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,201 | $1,155 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,244 | $1,189 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,263 | $1,301 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,343 | $1,300 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,367 | $1,374 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,383 | $1,393 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,439 | $1,410 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,467 | $1,423 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,468 | $1,418 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,485 | $1,420 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,497 | $1,425 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,534 | $1,444 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,538 | $1,445 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,567 | $1,470 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,610 | $1,477 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,653 | $1,491 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,632 | $1,493 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,656 | $1,513 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,684 | $1,508 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,719 | $1,510 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,684 | $1,514 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,712 | $1,524 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,748 | $1,537 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,730 | $1,540 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $350,000 in Lake Havasu City vs $429,000 in Grand Junction
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Grand Junction, CO
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Grand Junction, CO | Lake Havasu City, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $200K | $161K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $203K | $165K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $206K | $167K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $208K | $169K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $212K | $175K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $215K | $175K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $216K | $176K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $218K | $178K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $222K | $181K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $226K | $185K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $231K | $189K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $235K | $193K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $240K | $197K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $245K | $202K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $251K | $209K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $255K | $215K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $259K | $220K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $266K | $224K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $270K | $228K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $275K | $234K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $281K | $236K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $285K | $240K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $292K | $252K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $302K | $266K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $314K | $281K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $333K | $305K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $350K | $323K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $360K | $333K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $374K | $345K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $389K | $365K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $388K | $364K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $385K | $352K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $384K | $341K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $390K | $343K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $395K | $345K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $396K | $343K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $400K | $346K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $406K | $348K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $410K | $347K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $416K | $347K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $419K | $345K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $420K | $344K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $422K | $343K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $426K | $346K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $429K | $350K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $430K | $351K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $429K | $350K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.