Cost to Own
United States › Colorado › Arapahoe County › Columbine Population 25,681 Data vintage ACS 2023 5-Year Rates updated 2026-10-15
The part nobody budgets Even with the mortgage fully paid off, the median home here still costs $1,086 a month in taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep. See the full Arapahoe County picture

Total monthly cost of ownership

Cost to Own a Home in Columbine, Colorado

A $591,000 home here costs

$4,360

per month, all in, with 20% down at today's 7.40% 30-year fixed rate. By the 28% rule that takes a household income of about $187,000 a year.

P&I 75%Tax 6%Insurance 4%Utilities 4%Upkeep 11%

A standard mortgage calculator would have told you $3,274. The real number is $1,086 higher every month, 33% more than the payment most buyers budget for.

Compare Arapahoe County with anywhere in America · full county breakdown

Columbine median: $590,600
Under 20% adds PMI
Freddie Mac PMMS
CO average household

Where every dollar goes

Only the first line is a mortgage payment. Change any assumption above and every figure below recalculates.

Principal & interest30-year fixed, $472,800 borrowed $3,274
Property tax0.487% effective rate for Columbine itself $240
Homeowners insuranceColorado averages $1,802/yr (NAIC), or 0.348% of home value $171
Electricity17ยข/kWh, Colorado residential average, EIA $115
Water, sewer & trashUS household average $68
Maintenance reserve1% of home value per year $493
Total monthly $4,360

Columbine against Arapahoe County and Colorado

MeasureColumbineArapahoe County
Median home value$590,600$526,000
Median property tax$2,874$2,767
Effective tax rate0.487%0.526%
Median gross rent$2,391$1,812
Population25,681655,709

Columbine extends across 2 counties. Figures here use Arapahoe County, where most of its housing sits.

The weather behind that power bill

Columbine sits in Arapahoe County, which averages a high of 89.9°F in its hottest month and a low of 18.4°F in its coldest, with 14.48" of precipitation a year and 43% of it in a single three-month stretch. That climate drives 850 cooling and 5,862 heating degree days, which is what sets the $115 electricity line above.

See the full climate breakdown for Arapahoe County , month by month temperatures, rainy season timing, snowfall and heating and cooling costs.

Other cities in Arapahoe County

Full Arapahoe County cost breakdown · Every county in Colorado

Talk to someone who works this market

These are Columbine averages. What one specific house costs to own, or what it would sell for today, depends on the street and the condition of the place. We will connect you with one licensed local agent who works Columbine every week. Free, no obligation, and we never sell your details to a list.

I'm looking to buy in Columbine I already own here and may sell

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a home in Columbine?

A $591,000 home in Columbine, Colorado costs approximately $4,360 per month with 20% down at 7.4%. That is $3,274 principal and interest, $240 property tax, $171 homeowners insurance, $183 utilities and $493 set aside for maintenance.

What is the property tax rate in Columbine?

Columbine has an effective property tax rate of 0.487%, based on a median home value of $590,600 and median real estate taxes of $2,874. That is lower than the Arapahoe County average of 0.526%.

What is the average home price in Columbine?

The median owner-occupied home value in Columbine, Colorado is $590,600, against $526,000 across Arapahoe County.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Columbine?

Median gross rent in Columbine is $2,391 a month, against $4,360 to own the median home all in. Renting costs less month to month here, though renting builds no equity.

What salary do you need to buy a home in Columbine?

Using the standard 28% rule, housing costs at no more than 28% of gross income, buying the median home in Columbine, Colorado at today's rate takes a household income of roughly $187,000 a year. That covers the full $4,360 monthly cost, not just the mortgage payment.

Sources & methodology

  • Median home value, real estate taxes, gross rent and population for Columbine, US Census Bureau, American Community Survey ACS 2023 5-Year, place-level tables.
  • Homeowners insurance, NAIC average premium for Colorado.
  • Electricity price, EIA Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A.
  • Mortgage rate, Freddie Mac PMMS, refreshed weekly.
  • Maintenance (1%/yr) and water and sewer ($68/mo) are national estimates. Every assumption above is editable.

Full methodology