Orchard Mesa is a small town of 7,173 in Colorado, with a median household income of $64,688
and a 7.9% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
Orchard Mesa stands out for an affordable cost of living, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Orchard Mesa is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Orchard Mesa city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.1
Orchard Mesa's overall cost of living index is 92.1,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Orchard Mesa costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
Orchard Mesa, CO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$284,400
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,436
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
82.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$64,688
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Safer than Average
Orchard Mesa's violent crime rate is 347.6 per 100,000 residents
— 9% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
347.6 /100k
Property Crime
2211.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Orchard Mesa is served primarily by Mesa County Valley School District No. 51.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.7:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Orchard Mesa, CO
National Avg
School District
Mesa County Valley School District No. 51
—
Elementary Schools
27
—
Middle Schools
7
—
High Schools
7
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.4%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
93.1%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Orchard Mesa sees average highs of 39.1°F in January
and 93.1°F in July,
with 8.9 inches of annual precipitation
and 12.6 inches of snow per year.
Orchard Mesa's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Orchard Mesa roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $284,400 and median rent is $1,436/month.
Orchard Mesa's violent crime rate is 347.6 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 2211.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Orchard Mesa are operated by Mesa County Valley School District No. 51.
The district has 27 elementary, 7 middle, and 7 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.7:1. 21.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Orchard Mesa, CO has a population of 7,173, a median household income of $64,688, and an unemployment rate of 7.9%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Orchard Mesa averages 39.1°F in January and 93.1°F in July. Annual rainfall is 8.9 inches
with about 12.6 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Orchard Mesa, CO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 81503.
The population of Orchard Mesa, Colorado is 7,173 with a median age of 42.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Orchard Mesa: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $284,400, median household income $64,688, crime index 97 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Orchard Mesa side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.
