What does a Computer Programmers salary really buy you in Colorado?
Colorado is 2.3% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Colorado's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.3, meaning prices are 2.3% higher the national average. A Computer Programmers earning $124,880 in Colorado has the equivalent purchasing power of $122,072 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Colorado's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $70,720 | $69,130 | $-1,589 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $81,540 | $79,706 | $-1,833 |
| Median (P50) | $124,880 | $122,072 | $-2,807 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $164,480 | $160,782 | $-3,697 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $193,790 | $189,433 | $-4,356 |
Colorado's cost of living is close to the national average, so $124,880 keeps most of its value at $122,072 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
Where does Computer Programmers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Colorado ranks #3 out of 50 states for Computer Programmers after cost-of-living adjustment.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
A Computer Programmers in Colorado earns a median salary of $124,880 per year. After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living (RPP=102.3), the real purchasing power is $122,072 — a -2.2% difference.
Colorado's cost of living is 2.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Colorado is 102.3 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Computer Programmers in Colorado: $124,880 x (100 / 102.3) = $122,072. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Computer Programmers's nominal salary of $124,880 in Colorado has 2.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $122,072. However, Colorado may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.