Where cost of living is greatest in Colorado

Three Colorado cities rank in the top 50 nationwide for their outsized cost of living.

Driving the news: Goods and services tend to be more expensive in Westminster, Denver and Colorado Springs compared to the national average.

• The analysis from the Council for Community and Economic Research looks at regional differences in the cost of housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. It's based on spending by "professional and managerial households in the top income quintile."
• The result: A snapshot in time useful for comparing relative costs across cities.

By the numbers: Westminster ranks highest in Colorado among the 269 urban areas analyzed and 36th in the nation, followed by Denver (38) and Colorado Springs (42).

• For all three, housing is what makes them so expensive.
• Grand Junction landed at No. 78 for its elevated transportation and health care costs.

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