For gas, let's assume you drive 1,000 miles a month and your car averages 23 miles per gallon. You'd need to budget about $87 per month with prices at $2 per gallon. That leaves only $124 for a car payment, parking and other transportation expenses.
North Dakota grew the fastest, increasing its population by 2.2 percent in the same time span. Colorado increased 1.9 percent. From 2010 to 2015, Colorado grew by 408,320 people, a 7.5 percent increase and the fourth-fastest growth rate behind North Dakota, Washington D.C. and Texas.
Mesa County, Colorado (CO) County population in 2014: 148,255 (87% urban, 13% rural); it was 116,255 in 2000. County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2010: 29,788. County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2010: 11,718. County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 33,306.