Salary Needed to Live in Pueblo as a Couple
A couple sharing expenses without children needs approximately $66,118/year to live comfortably in Pueblo, CO, including 12% savings.
Direct Answer
A couple (no kids) needs about $66,118/year to live comfortably in Pueblo, CO. The bare-minimum salary is $55,249/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 12% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,909.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,361/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,510/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$66,118
with 12% savings
Bare Minimum
$55,249
$4,604/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,361
24% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Couple in Pueblo
| Expense | Pueblo | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2BR Apartment Rent | $920 | $1,641 | -44% |
| Groceries | $260 | $320 | -19% |
| Utilities | $192 | $225 | -15% |
| Transportation | $391 | $421 | -7% |
| Car Insurance | $197 | $215 | -8% |
| Health Insurance | $571 | $642 | -11% |
| Internet | $56 | $65 | -14% |
| Phone (x2) | $120 | $140 | -14% |
| Dining & Social | $387 | $450 | -14% |
| Entertainment | $155 | $180 | -14% |
| Personal Care (x2) | $112 | $130 | -14% |
| Total Monthly | $3,361 | $4,429 | -24% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,361
Target savings (12%):$548/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,909
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$66,118
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$920
1-2BR Apartment rent is 27% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
12%
$548/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
86/100
Pueblo is below the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep 1-2br apartment housing near $920/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $830/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone (x2).
- Use $55,249/year as the survival floor and $66,118/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Pueblo
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a couple (no kids) need in Pueblo?
A couple (no kids) needs approximately $66,118/year ($5,510/month gross) to live comfortably in Pueblo with a 12% savings rate.
How much is rent for a couple (no kids) in Pueblo?
A 1-2br apartment in Pueblo costs approximately $920/month, which is the largest single expense at 27% of the total budget.
Is Pueblo affordable for a couple (no kids)?
Yes, Pueblo is 24% more affordable than the national average for a couple (no kids).