Firstly why Grand-Junction, Colorado?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Grand-Junction
• State: Colorado
• Population: 63,756 people
• Grand-Junction’s quick summary would be Grand Junction locals love the red rock views of the Colorado National Monument and stock up on Palisade peaches every summer.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 2,500 annually
• While this many move-out: 2,000 annually
• Net Migration: 500 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 1,500
• Number of Homeless people: 200

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its outdoor activities and wine country appealing to nature lovers

Perk #1: Grand-Junction Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 65%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $54,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Grand-Junction is $59,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $5000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Grand-Junction’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 95 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,279
• Property Tax %: 0.84%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,050
• Rent for an average house: $1,800
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Downtown
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Grand-Junction, Palisade, Fruita, Delta, and probably could include Montrose
• Avg. Age of Homes in Grand-Junction: 43 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.2%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Grand-Junction’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Grand-Junction are  Tourism, Healthcare, and Retail
• Grand-Junction Job Scene: stable job market primarily in agriculture and tourism
• The General Tech Scene: modest tech scene focused on agriculture and local entrepreneurship , ,
• Grand-Junction Resident’s pay $1,000 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Grand-Junction: 7.5%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 70 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 5

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Grand-Junction

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $90 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-70 is a key interstate providing access through Grand Junction
• Commute Time: 23 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: evening delays on Horizon Drive
• Transportation Score: 30 out of 100 described as Some Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Grand-Junction: 50,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.8
• No. of Car Washes: 2 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Grand-Junction: dmv.colorado.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 61 of 100
• Local Airport: Grand Junction Regional

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Grand-Junction’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Wildfires
• General Weather in Grand-Junction is best described as experiences cold winters with snow and hot summers with temperatures reaching into the 90s
• Winter Weather in Grand-Junction i’d describe as cool and dry
• Spring Weather in Grand-Junction can be described as mild and dry
• Summer’s in Grand-Junction are mostly warm and dry
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Grand-Junction is usually mild and dry
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 25 days in summer
• Days in a row in Grand-Junction below Freezing: 38
• Average Annual Rainfall: 10 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality with low pollution sources
• Grand-Junction Winter Air generally good air quality with few pollution sources

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Grand-Junction Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Grand-Junction 2
• While the number of trade schools inside Grand-Junctions’s city limits are 2
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Grand Junction Branch Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Grand-Junction Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 9 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Grand-Junction only Doctors is about 35
• Local Hospitals here is  3
• Full-time Grand-Junction only Police Officers is about 140
• Crime Rate Index: 35/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Grand-Junction’s Monthly utility bill average is $100
• Grand-Junction’s Monthly Gym Membership: $38
• Grand-Junction’s Water Quality Score: 75

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Grand-Junction

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 7 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: home to outdoor recreation and beautiful landscapes
• You might enjoy concerts at the Avalon Theatre
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Grand-Junction  has a growing nightlife with craft breweries restaurants and live music venues catering to locals

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Grand-Junction

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes local diners and a few upscale dining choices
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 40 scattered around Grand-Junction
• The Popular Sports Team is Grand Junction Rockies
• Top Level Political Climate in Grand-Junction can be described as conservative area with focus on agriculture and outdoor recreation
• Grand-Junction’s Longer standing religious establishment is Two Rivers Convention Center

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Grand-Junction Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Grand-Junction has 20 Parks?
• James M. Robb State Park is Grand-Junction’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Grand Junction Farmers Market normally open Thursday 5pm-8pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Biking, hiking, and wine tours

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Grand-Junction Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Grand-Junction can be described as steady pace with a focus on outdoor exploration and arts
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Grand-Junction hiking local trails attending sports games exploring parks
• The Cities people commute to from Grand-Junction are Delta 61 miles away Fruita 12 miles away Montrose 30 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Grand-Junction or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: evening delays on Horizon Drive. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Grand-Junction’s Wildfires risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Downtown is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Grand-Junction are Delta 61 miles away Fruita 12 miles away Montrose 30 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 35 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Grand-Junction has 38 days in a row below freezing and 25 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Grand-Junction people have an average (positive or negative) $5000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   200 homeless people living in Grand-Junction. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general conservative area with focus on agriculture and outdoor recreation could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Grand-Junction.

Retiree & Senior Life in Grand-Junction

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for local property tax relief enhancing financial planning
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is The Commons at Grand Junction
• Grand Junction Senior Center provides health resources activities and social gatherings

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Grand-Junction, Colorado?

If Grand-Junction, Colorado ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Grand-Junction, Colorado, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!