Moving to Durango means paying mountain-town prices for a real town. Single-family homes in La Plata County sold for a median of $795,000 through September 2026, and the typical sale took 110 days, per the Durango Area Association of REALTORS. Condos run lower. Plan on roughly 64 inches of snow a year and a 9.4% sales tax. This guide walks through the first 90 days, in the order you'll actually need things.
What does it cost to buy a home in Durango?
Here are the 2026 numbers through September, from the Durango Area Association of REALTORS (data current as of October 5, 2026):
| Measure | Single-family | Townhouse/condo |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price, La Plata County | $795,000 | $576,000 |
| Homes sold, January to September | 433 | 178 |
| Share of list price received | 97.3% | 97.4% |
| Days on market until sale | 110 | 122 |
| Homes for sale, end of September | 373 | 170 |
Inside the city, the single-family median was higher, at $937,500. Out in Bayfield's rural area it was $594,000. Our neighborhoods guide breaks prices down by area. Then bring in a local real estate agent who can tell a south-facing lot from a north-facing one. At this elevation, that decides how much snow you shovel.
Budgeting for more than the mortgage? See the cost of living guide.
What should you do in your first 90 days?
Vehicle first. Colorado gives new residents 90 days to register a car, per county motor vehicle offices. The state's new-to-Colorado page covers driver licenses and titles.
A rough order of operations:
1. Utilities. Power, gas, water and trash all need start dates. Setting up utilities in Durango has the providers. 2. Healthcare. Find a primary care doctor and a dentist early, because good ones book out. Start with our Durango healthcare guide. 3. Schools and childcare. Spots fill. See the schools guide and childcare guide. 4. Insurance and money. Local finance pros know mountain-property coverage and Colorado rules. 5. Home help. Line up a plumber, an electrician and someone for snow. Browse home services. 6. Get outside. Find your trails in the parks and trails guide, and your gym in the gyms and fitness guide.
What's winter really like?
Snowy, but workable. Durango averages about 64 inches of snow a year, based on NOAA's 1991-2020 normals. The town sits near 6,500 feet. Purgatory Resort plans to open on November 20, 2026, weather permitting, per KRQE. Snowdown, the winter festival, runs January 29 to February 7, 2027.
New owners get caught by three things:
- Heat. Get your furnace, woodstove or pellet stove serviced before October.
- Pipes. Winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation lines before the first hard freeze.
- Snow. Decide who clears the driveway before the first storm. Our seasonal home maintenance guide has the full calendar.
How much is sales tax in Durango?
The combined rate is 9.4%. That's 2.9% state, 3.0% county and 3.5% city, based on the city's 3.5% rate and Avalara's combined rate. Check the current rate before a big purchase. The city share applies only inside city limits.
Where do newcomers actually settle?
Mostly in four places: in town, on the east side near Mercy Hospital, north toward Hermosa and Purgatory, or out east in Bayfield and Vallecito. Bayfield is about 20 miles away on US 160, according to the town. Spend a weekend in each before you commit. Our Bayfield guide covers that side.
What's the rhythm of the year?
Summer brings tourists, river trips and long evenings. Fall is short, golden and the best-kept secret. Winter means Purgatory and Snowdown. Spring is mud season, when locals catch their breath. Arrive before winter if you can, so you've got time to settle before the snow tests your setup.
Start with your home team
An agent, a few trusted trades, a doctor and someone to keep your finances straight. Browse real estate, home services, health and wellness, finance and education and childcare to find them. Want the visitor-side view? Travel Durango has a settling-in post.