Aspen, CO vs Del Mar, CA: Cost of Living

Which city costs less?

Del Mar, CA has a modeled overall cost index 43.6% higher than Aspen, CO.

Aspen, CO · modeled 2BR rent
$2,230 / month
Del Mar, CA · modeled 2BR rent
$4,500 / month

These are saved estimates, not current rental listings. Some cities use adjusted regional data. Your household budget can differ from the overall index. Sources and assumptions

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Compare Aspen, CO and Del Mar, CA using saved regional data and explicit budgeting assumptions. Rent estimates are not live listings. Change the salary below, then check the source notes before applying a result to your household.

Saved regional estimates · Sources and assumptions

$
Numbers update automatically as you type

Estimated extra cost: $2,712/month in Del Mar, CA

$150,000 in your current city has a modeled equivalent of $182,538 in Del Mar, CA

Regional cost estimates: Aspen, CO uses Denver, CO. Del Mar, CA uses San Diego, CA. Available city ZIP rent estimates are shown separately.
Overall Cost
↑ 43.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$2,712
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$32.5K
Per year

Assumes 60% of current gross income goes to living costs. The headline uses the category budget below; taxes, moving costs and savings goals are excluded.

Aspen, CO

Population:7K
Cost Index:
87.5
100 = national average
Typical Home:$3.43M

Del Mar, CA

Population:4K
Cost Index:
125.6
100 = national average
Typical Home:$2.70M

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Aspen, CO

The Centennial State

7K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Colorado, this city has a population of 7K residents.

Del Mar, CA

The Golden State

4K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 4K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Estimated monthly spending: Aspen, CO vs Del Mar, CA

Assumes 60% of your current gross income is spent on these categories. The headline and totals use this same budget. Rent estimates below are separate reference data. Rounded amounts may differ by $1.

Housing
↑ 76.4%
Aspen, CO
$2,548
Del Mar, CA
$4,494
Difference
$1,946
more
Other
↑ 16.9%
Aspen, CO
$1,547
Del Mar, CA
$1,808
Difference
$262
more
Transportation
↑ 17.9%
Aspen, CO
$1,274
Del Mar, CA
$1,502
Difference
$228
more
All Utilities
↑ 27.9%
Aspen, CO
$507
Del Mar, CA
$649
Difference
$141
more
Groceries
↑ 9.8%
Aspen, CO
$1,006
Del Mar, CA
$1,105
Difference
$98.73
more
Healthcare
↑ 5.8%
Aspen, CO
$618
Del Mar, CA
$653
Difference
$35.56
more

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,540
To$3,430
↑ $1,890
1 Bed
From$2,030
To$3,690
↑ $1,660
2 Bed
From$2,230
To$4,500
↑ $2,270
3 Bed
From$2,850
To$5,990
↑ $3,140
Aspen, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,030–$2,030/mo

Del Mar, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,690–$3,690/mo

💡 Note: HUD Fair Market Rents estimate 40th-percentile gross rents, including most tenant-paid utilities. City ZIP summaries are medians of those estimates, not market median rents. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,500
Monthly in Aspen, CO
$10,212
Monthly in Del Mar, CA
$2,712
Difference

Home Values

Aspen
Del Mar
$3.43M
Median Value
$2.70M
↑ +3.5%
YoY Change
↓ -1.4%
↑ +54.6%
5-Year Change
↑ +53.6%

Homes in Del Mar are 21% less expensive than Aspen

Calculate payment - AspenCalculate payment - Del Mar

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $4.0K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$336
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
2.7%
Rate difference

Aspen, CO

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Colorado State Tax
Effective: 4.4%
$6.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.1%
$43.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,866/month
$106.4K

Del Mar, CA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
California State Tax
Effective: 7.1%
$10.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.8%
$47.6K
Take-Home Pay
$8,530/month
$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Aspen, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%
Property Tax:0.5%

Del Mar, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%
Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Aspen
Del Mar
55 Moderate
Air Quality
71 Moderate
35.2%
Good Air Days
12.8%
95 High
Climate Risk
100 Very High
🌊🌪💨
Top Hazards
🔥🌊🌡
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.1°F
28 days
Heat Days >95°F
1 days
▲+3.3°F
2050 Outlook
▲+2.1°F
28 days
Heat Days >95°F
1 days

Before moving from Aspen, CO to Del Mar, CA

Use this comparison to shortlist a move, then check the costs that depend on your household.

  1. Compare actual homes. Get current quotes in Del Mar, CA for the same bedroom count and included utilities as your home in Aspen, CO. Add parking, deposits, insurance and any overlapping leases. The rent estimates above are a starting point, not available listings.
  2. Confirm your income. Check your expected pay with your employer, including any location adjustment. Use “Different salary at destination?” above to compare two incomes. The budget model excludes taxes and one-time moving costs; it is not a take-home-pay calculation.
  3. Price your daily routine. Check the commute from a specific address to work, school or childcare. Add household expenses missing from this model, such as childcare, debt payments and medical needs. Verify local services before signing a lease.
  4. Plan the transition. Get moving quotes and budget for travel, setup costs and time off. Open your Aspen to Del Mar moving checklist to organize the tasks and timing.

Still choosing a destination? Explore cities similar to Del Mar, CA by cost, housing, population and region.

Frequently Asked Questions: Aspen, CO vs Del Mar, CA

How do the cost estimates for Aspen, CO and Del Mar, CA compare?

Del Mar, CA has a modeled overall cost index 43.6% higher than Aspen, CO. This is a broad model comparison, not a survey of today's prices or a forecast of your household spending. Some cities use adjusted regional fallback data.

What does the equivalent salary mean?

At a $150,000 salary in Aspen, CO, the model estimates $182,538 in Del Mar, CA. It allocates 60% of gross income to the origin city’s category budget and applies each destination category’s relative cost. The equivalent salary adds the total category difference to your income. The monthly difference is the same category difference divided by 12; it is not take-home pay or guaranteed savings. Household size, childcare and your actual lease are not inputs to this calculation.

What rent estimates are available for Aspen, CO and Del Mar, CA?

The modeled two-bedroom rents are $2,230/month in Aspen, CO and $4,500/month in Del Mar, CA. Where available, the source is a city median of HUD FY2026 ZIP-level estimates; otherwise a saved metro table is used. City adjustments may also apply. These are not asking rents or available listings. Compare actual properties with the same bedroom count and included utilities.

How should I use this comparison before moving?

Use it to shortlist locations, then replace modeled costs with a current housing quote, employer-confirmed income, commute costs, insurance and your household's other expenses. Add one-time moving costs separately. Source years differ and the saved datasets are not a live price feed. Read the methodology for the formulas and fallback rules.

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Colorado and California on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Aspen, CO on a $150.0K salary

1.St. Louis, MO
Save $151/mo
2.Indianapolis, IN
Save $121/mo

Similar cost to Del Mar, CA

Other cities in a similar price range

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