Lake Havasu City, AZ vs Grand Junction, CO: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Grand Junction, CO is 1.5% more expensive than Lake Havasu City, AZ (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Lake Havasu City works out to about $76,100 in Grand Junction, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 8.3% more in Grand Junction. Goods are 0.2% lower and other services 0.0% lower.
- Typical asking rent is $1,730 a month in Grand Junction and $1,540 in Lake Havasu City, $2,280 a year more in Grand Junction (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $429,000 in Grand Junction and $350,000 in Lake Havasu City.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Grand Junction was 11.5% more expensive than Lake Havasu City.
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: 8.3% higher in Grand Junction than in Lake Havasu City
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
All items Lake Havasu City, AZ: 94.1 Grand Junction, CO: 95.5
Goods Lake Havasu City, AZ: 96.2 Grand Junction, CO: 96.1
Housing (rents) Lake Havasu City, AZ: 79.8 Grand Junction, CO: 86.4
Utilities Lake Havasu City, AZ: 88.7 Grand Junction, CO: 83.3
Other services Lake Havasu City, AZ: 99.8 Grand Junction, CO: 99.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.1 | 95.5 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.1 |
| Housing (rents) | 79.8 | 86.4 |
| Utilities | 88.7 | 83.3 |
| Other services | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| Category | Lake Havasu City | Grand Junction | Grand Junction vs Lake Havasu City |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.1 | 95.5 | +1.5% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.1 | −0.2% |
| Housing (rents) | 79.8 | 86.4 | +8.3% |
| Utilities | 88.7 | 83.3 | −6.1% |
| Other services | 99.8 | 99.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,540 | $1,730 | +12.3% |
| Typical home value | $350,000 | $429,000 | +22.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Lake Havasu City | $75,000 | $76,100 | +1.5% |
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 Lake Havasu City and Grand Junction has narrowed since 2008: 10.0 points then, 1.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.8 | 103.7 |
| 2009 | 97.3 | 98.9 |
| 2010 | 94.6 | 97.6 |
| 2011 | 94.7 | 99.7 |
| 2012 | 95.5 | 97.6 |
| 2013 | 95.0 | 96.4 |
| 2014 | 92.3 | 98.9 |
| 2015 | 92.2 | 98.6 |
| 2016 | 93.0 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 93.8 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 89.8 | 94.0 |
| 2019 | 88.4 | 98.5 |
| 2020 | 87.7 | 95.2 |
| 2021 | 89.3 | 92.1 |
| 2022 | 92.8 | 93.8 |
| 2023 | 90.5 | 92.8 |
| 2024 | 94.1 | 95.5 |
Goods
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 95.4 | 101.7 |
| 2009 | 101.3 | 100.1 |
| 2010 | 97.3 | 98.7 |
| 2011 | 98.7 | 98.1 |
| 2012 | 99.7 | 97.0 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 96.4 |
| 2014 | 96.2 | 98.2 |
| 2015 | 95.0 | 103.9 |
| 2016 | 94.4 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 99.7 | 101.1 |
| 2018 | 95.7 | 96.0 |
| 2019 | 99.0 | 99.2 |
| 2020 | 96.5 | 96.1 |
| 2021 | 96.6 | 96.3 |
| 2022 | 97.7 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 96.8 | 96.3 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.1 |
Housing (rents)
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 82.8 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 86.3 | 96.4 |
| 2010 | 79.8 | 96.2 |
| 2011 | 74.6 | 107.6 |
| 2012 | 76.3 | 102.9 |
| 2013 | 77.6 | 90.3 |
| 2014 | 70.1 | 101.1 |
| 2015 | 70.0 | 89.9 |
| 2016 | 75.6 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 71.1 | 97.9 |
| 2018 | 69.5 | 89.0 |
| 2019 | 58.9 | 105.5 |
| 2020 | 64.0 | 96.4 |
| 2021 | 73.3 | 88.9 |
| 2022 | 86.3 | 96.2 |
| 2023 | 77.8 | 87.7 |
| 2024 | 79.8 | 86.4 |
Utilities
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.7 | 75.6 |
| 2009 | 92.1 | 77.7 |
| 2010 | 100.9 | 86.5 |
| 2011 | 102.2 | 90.8 |
| 2012 | 104.9 | 90.4 |
| 2013 | 101.2 | 90.2 |
| 2014 | 105.4 | 91.6 |
| 2015 | 105.0 | 90.4 |
| 2016 | 98.9 | 94.0 |
| 2017 | 94.6 | 91.2 |
| 2018 | 89.4 | 81.6 |
| 2019 | 91.1 | 85.3 |
| 2020 | 90.2 | 84.7 |
| 2021 | 82.7 | 80.3 |
| 2022 | 84.2 | 84.8 |
| 2023 | 82.6 | 80.1 |
| 2024 | 88.7 | 83.3 |
Other services
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.8 | 102.5 |
| 2009 | 101.4 | 100.5 |
| 2010 | 100.2 | 98.1 |
| 2011 | 103.9 | 98.5 |
| 2012 | 103.4 | 96.6 |
| 2013 | 102.1 | 99.4 |
| 2014 | 102.5 | 99.0 |
| 2015 | 100.9 | 99.2 |
| 2016 | 100.4 | 95.6 |
| 2017 | 101.2 | 99.4 |
| 2018 | 96.5 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 97.4 | 96.5 |
| 2020 | 94.7 | 94.7 |
| 2021 | 92.0 | 91.1 |
| 2022 | 92.5 | 91.6 |
| 2023 | 93.3 | 93.1 |
| 2024 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,730 in Grand Junction vs $1,540 in Lake Havasu City
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $766 | $874 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $775 | $900 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $780 | $895 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $801 | $892 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $798 | $901 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $812 | $924 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $829 | $930 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $827 | $910 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $846 | $937 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $872 | $969 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $875 | $965 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $902 | $977 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $899 | $1,000 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $932 | $1,024 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $941 | $1,040 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $946 | $1,051 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $984 | $1,074 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,004 | $1,098 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,021 | $1,120 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,019 | $1,106 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,048 | $1,115 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,068 | $1,144 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,100 | $1,175 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,155 | $1,201 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,189 | $1,244 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,301 | $1,263 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,300 | $1,343 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,374 | $1,367 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,393 | $1,383 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,410 | $1,439 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,423 | $1,467 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,418 | $1,468 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,420 | $1,485 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,425 | $1,497 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,444 | $1,534 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,445 | $1,538 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,470 | $1,567 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,477 | $1,610 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,491 | $1,653 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,493 | $1,632 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,513 | $1,656 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,508 | $1,684 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,510 | $1,719 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,514 | $1,684 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,524 | $1,712 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,537 | $1,748 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,540 | $1,730 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $429,000 in Grand Junction vs $350,000 in Lake Havasu City
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- Grand Junction, CO
- 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
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | Grand Junction, CO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $161K | $200K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $165K | $203K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $167K | $206K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $169K | $208K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $175K | $212K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $175K | $215K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $176K | $216K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $178K | $218K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $181K | $222K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $185K | $226K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $189K | $231K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $193K | $235K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $197K | $240K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $202K | $245K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $209K | $251K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $215K | $255K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $220K | $259K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $224K | $266K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $228K | $270K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $234K | $275K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $236K | $281K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $240K | $285K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $252K | $292K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $266K | $302K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $281K | $314K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $305K | $333K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $323K | $350K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $333K | $360K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $345K | $374K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $365K | $389K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $364K | $388K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $352K | $385K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $341K | $384K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $343K | $390K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $345K | $395K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $343K | $396K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $346K | $400K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $348K | $406K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $347K | $410K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $347K | $416K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $345K | $419K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $344K | $420K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $343K | $422K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $346K | $426K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $350K | $429K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $351K | $430K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $350K | $429K | $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.