| Index | Denver | Colorado | National |
| Cost of living | 140 | 115 | 100 |
| Groceries | 108 | 104 | 100 |
| Health care | 108 | 107 | 100 |
| Housing | 213 | 136 | 100 |
| Transportation | 113 | 106 | 100 |
| Utilities | 108 | 108 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 110 | 107 | 100 |
| Household Items | 103 | 105 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 115 | 111 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in Denver can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The Denver cost of living index is 140, which is 40% higher than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
If you prioritize affordability when seeking a new place to live, Denver may not be your ideal choice, as it ranks among the most expensive locations in the entire United States. A very small amount of areas exhibit a cost of living at least 20% higher than the national average, and unfortunately, Denver falls into this category, which may not align with your preferences for a budget-friendly living environment.
Housing costs significantly influence the Denver cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 112.6%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 66 residents in Denver to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 12% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 88% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Denver affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Denver, the median home price is 141.3% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 45.8% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Denver boasting a median household income of $108,588, 33.5% higher than the national average.
Housing: Elevated demand for housing within coveted locales has the propensity to escalate both property values and rental rates, thereby serving as a primary catalyst for an augmented cost of living. Conversely, areas witnessing diminished housing demand, particularly within less desirable environs, often experience an inversely proportional effect, leading to price reductions and subsequently contributing to a more modest cost of living. In Denver, the housing index is 112.6% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Denver, the transportation index is 12.9% higher than the national average.
Utilities: Like everything else, utilities costs can range significantly depending on factors like climate, energy sources available, location and even state regulations. Things like electricity, water, heating and waste disposal costs can be higher or lower, depending on the city or state. The utilities index in Denver comes in at 8.3% higher than the national average.
The Denver cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $148,456 | $12,371 | $3,464 | $4,454 |
| Renters | $80,103 | $6,675 | $1,869 | $2,403 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Colorado | 2.9% | 10% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Colorado | 4.4% | 4.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Glendale CDP, CO | 80 | 109 | 9.1% |
| Eldorado Springs, CO | 332 | 109 | 8.9% |
| Lakeside, CO | 6 | 90 | 10.0% |
| Federal Heights, CO | 14,024 | 95 | 5.1% |
| North Washington, CO | 676 | 99 | 0.9% |
| Denver, CO | 739,923 | 140 | 40.2% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Brampton, ON | 735,754 | n/a | |
| Washington, DC | 721,713 | 181 | 81.4% |
| Boston, MA | 715,604 | 170 | 69.8% |
| Mississauga, ON | 764,342 | n/a | |
| Seattle, WA | 765,050 | 179 | 79.4% |
| Denver, CO | 739,923 | 140 | 40.2% |
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