Cost of Living in Denver, CO
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Denver, CO to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Denver, CO?
With a price level of 105.8 (U.S. average = 100), Denver, CO is more expensive than average. In detail, housing costs run 47% above average; everyday goods cost about the same as the national average; utilities are 12% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Denver, CO vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.8 | +5.8% |
| Housing | 146.9 | +46.9% |
| Goods | 101.0 | +1.0% |
| Utilities | 87.9 | −12.1% |
| Other services | 99.4 | −0.6% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Denver, CO
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,643 | $65,720/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,754 | $70,160/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,089 | $83,560/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,734 | $109,360/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,049 | $121,960/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Denver, CO
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Denver, CO | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $42,300 | $35,015 |
| $60,000 | $63,500 | $51,117 |
| $80,000 | $84,600 | $65,332 |
| $100,000 | $105,800 | $79,314 |
| $150,000 | $158,700 | $113,463 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Colorado 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Denver, CO's median wage of $62,320 takes home about $4,185 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,754, which is 42% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $2,431 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Denver, CO
- Federal income tax$5,298
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,864
- Medicare (1.45%)$904
- Colorado income tax$2,034
- Take-home pay$50,220
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Highest-paying jobs in Denver, CO
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Colorado cities
Half of Colorado’s 2,873,900 workers earn less than $59,800 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $43,680–$93,220 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Boulder, CO stretches a paycheck furthest, while Grand Junction, CO is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | $62,320 | 105.8 | $1,754 | 42% | $2,431 | $47,475 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $52,710 | 100.7 | $1,461 | 41% | $2,116 | $42,620 |
| Boulder, CO | $69,580 | 105.2 | $1,795 | 39% | $2,824 | $52,686 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $55,310 | 101.1 | $1,537 | 41% | $2,204 | $44,396 |
| Greeley, CO | $55,070 | 100.2 | $1,238 | 33% | $2,488 | $44,636 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $48,510 | 95.5 | $986 | 30% | $2,325 | $41,614 |
| Pueblo, CO | $48,940 | 91.8 | $967 | 29% | $2,371 | $43,655 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Denver, CO vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 105.8 | $1,754 | $62,320 | 1,609,350 |
| San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $2,459 | $58,690 | 1,538,060 |
| Riverside, CA | 106.4 | $1,777 | $48,400 | 1,716,760 |
| Tampa, FL | 100.9 | $1,696 | $48,940 | 1,447,120 |
| Orlando, FL | 101.4 | $1,731 | $46,630 | 1,411,730 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $1,428 | $49,990 | 1,358,370 |
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 | $1,511 | $59,070 | 1,356,680 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Denver, CO expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area are 105.8% of the U.S. average, with housing at 146.9%. It is the #24 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Denver, CO?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $63,469 in Denver, CO (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $62,320.
Can you afford Denver, CO on the median wage?
A single worker on the $62,320 median wage takes home about $4,185 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,754 would take 42% of that.
How much is rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Denver, CO are $1,643 for a studio, $1,754 for one bedroom, $2,089 for two bedrooms and $2,734 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Denver, CO
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $203,340
- Financial Manager — $193,400
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $191,440
- Marketing Manager — $182,470
- Sales Manager — $181,580
- Managers, All Other — $175,980
- Human Resources Manager — $170,940
- General and Operations Manager — $142,330
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Project Management Specialist — $116,740
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $104,480
- Management Analyst — $102,620
- Accountant and Auditor — $100,020
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $99,040
- Personal Financial Advisor — $98,740
- Logistician — $97,290
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $94,990
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $160,520
- Computer Network Architect — $139,230
- Software Developer — $137,610
- Information Security Analyst — $136,670
- Computer Systems Analyst — $127,880
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $123,690
- Data Scientist — $112,520
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $105,090
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Mechanical Engineer — $128,180
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $127,260
- Electrical Engineer — $119,020
- Industrial Engineer — $108,680
- Civil Engineer — $104,710
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $67,560
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $67,080
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $62,810
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $57,830
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $49,700
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $177,380
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $80,500
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $168,720
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $79,230
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $77,340
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $76,910
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $45,680
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $45,090
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,910
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $82,930
- Graphic Designer — $72,500
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $44,970
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Pharmacist — $157,890
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $112,090
- Physical Therapist — $102,340
- Registered Nurse — $101,130
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $75,810
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $70,050
- Pharmacy Technician — $50,970
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Medical Assistant — $49,700
- Dental Assistant — $49,490
- Nursing Assistant — $49,110
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,900
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $101,970
- Firefighter — $87,980
- Security Guard — $45,420
- Protective Service Workers, All Other — $43,720
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $36,620
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $52,520
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $45,070
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,370
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $39,850
- Waiter and Waitress — $39,650
- Food Preparation Worker — $39,470
- Dishwasher — $38,710
- Cooks, Fast Food — $38,530
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $46,270
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $38,900
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $38,840
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $50,580
- Childcare Worker — $44,320
- Recreation Worker — $39,640
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $38,380
- Animal Caretaker — $37,640
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $37,390
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $36,530
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $36,240
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $136,100
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $115,390
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $81,060
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $80,650
- Insurance Sales Agent — $77,590
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $66,940
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other — $63,110
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $59,100
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $79,120
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $68,020
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $65,080
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $59,880
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $58,240
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $57,510
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other — $56,150
- Office Clerks, General — $53,990
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $83,400
- Carpenter — $64,910
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $64,080
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $63,900
- Electrician — $63,150
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $62,130
- Construction Laborer — $48,760
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $86,800
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $76,990
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $72,800
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $71,580
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $61,960
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $52,450
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $79,860
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $58,430
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $46,910
- Baker — $42,490
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $239,200+
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $69,250
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $63,900
- Flight Attendant — $59,500
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $52,190
- Light Truck Driver — $49,360
- Driver/Sales Worker — $46,600
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $46,290