CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs Monroe, LA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
More AffordableLA
Monroe
83.6
overall index
$1,100/mo rent

Monroe is moderately cheaper than Grand Junction — 12.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $70,000 in Monroe. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing50.5%
Grand Junction
86.4
Monroe
42.8
🛒 Groceries2.5%
Grand Junction
96.1
Monroe
93.7
🚗 Transportation4.1%
Grand Junction
104.8
Monroe
100.5
🏥 Healthcare4.1%
Grand Junction
94.8
Monroe
90.9
Utilities13.3%
Grand Junction
83.3
Monroe
72.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction to see what you'd need to earn in Monroe to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Monroe, LA
$70,000
$10,000 less needed in Monroe

Formula: salary × (83.6 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 0.8754. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

Monroe, LA

Median Home Price
$157,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,100
Housing Index
42.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.9×

Grand Junction has 50.5% lower housing costs compared to Monroe.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Monroe, LA

Median Household Income
$50,300
Per Capita Income
$28,700
Unemployment Rate
7.3%
Population
47,252
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingGovernmentRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

Monroe, LA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.