HOME BLOG

Study finds how much American dream costs in Colorado

Mar 25, 2025, 5:56 PM | Updated: Mar 26, 2025, 12:40 pm

The cities where the American dream is most affordable still require a six-figure income, according to GoBankingRates’ report:

  1. Wichita, Kansas — $102,059
  2. Louisville, Kentucky — $103,754
  3. El Paso, Texas — $108,424
  4. Raleigh, North Carolina — $109,747
  5. Memphis, Tennessee — $110,180

Denver ranked at number 11 most expensive overall. According to the report, Denver households must make $151,860 each year to live the American dream.

The study took into account expenses for essentials like groceries, childcare, petcare, healthcare and mortgages, married or single.

The study found that a household must make at least $102,000 per year to achieve the American dream and live a comfortable lifestyle in the largest U.S. cities.

But, the study found that it costs about $50,000 more than that to achieve the dream in Colorado’s largest cities.

Read more about the cities that are overpriced and the ones that can still live the American Dream here.

A store at DIA has a floor made of pennies!

States with the highest likelihood of an alien abduction

Home Blog

(Photo by Brian Ach/Getty Images for Apple TV+)...

Jenny D

Apple TV hikes subscription price in U.S., effective immediately

Starting soon, the monthly plan jumps to $14.99 and the annual plan hits $119.99.

3 days ago

(Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)...

Jenny D

Billionaire cheese heiress lists 450-acre Jefferson County compound for $30 million

Let me introduce you to your new favorite person you'll never meet — Gina Vecchiarelli, cheese heiress, billionaire, and apparently very casual mountain compound owner.

3 days ago

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)...

Jenny D

Waymo vehicle makes inexplicable sudden stop in Denver, causes accident

Waymo says the vehicle stopped to yield to a pedestrian. The two human drivers involved? They say they didn't see a single soul crossing that street. Not one person. Zero.

3 days ago

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)...

Jenny D

Brother-sister duo keep stamp culture alive in Denver with family business

Ace Kauffman Rubber Stamp and Seal Co., downtown Denver. Support local, y'all.

3 days ago

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)...

Kathie J

American College of Sports Medicine names three Colorado cities among 100 fittest in US

Denver is  No. 5 on the list! Look at us. Colorado is healthy for you to live in and has two more cities in addition to Denver on America’s fittest […]

4 days ago

(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)...

Jenny D

When to view Thursday’s partial lunar eclipse in and around Denver

A partial lunar eclipse is happening Thursday night into early Friday morning, and Denver has a pretty great seat

4 days ago

Study finds how much American dream costs in Colorado