Cost of Living in Denver
Overall index: 118.5 — 15 points above Colorado average. Colorado statewide average: 103.1.
Where your money goes in Denver
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in Denver
Estimated annual spending: $77,579($2,579 over budget)
What things cost in Denver
| Item | Denver | Colorado avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $590,000 | $530,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,950/mo | $1,523/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $3.53/gal | $3.53/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $107/mo | $107/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $23,500/yr | $21,840/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
Denver vs Colorado statewide. National average = 100.
FAQ
What is the cost of living in Denver?
Denver has an overall cost-of-living index of 118.5 (national average = 100). This is higher than the Colorado statewide average of 103.1. Median home prices are $590,000 and average 2BR rent is $1,950/month.
Is Denver expensive to live in?
Yes, Denver is more expensive than the national average with an index of 118.5. Housing is the biggest factor at 148% of the national average.
How much does rent cost in Denver?
Average 2-bedroom rent in Denver is $1,950/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the Colorado statewide average of $1,523/month.
What salary do I need to live in Denver?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $88,875 in Denver. You'll need a higher income to maintain the same standard of living.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- Colorado Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- Colorado Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in Colorado — How much house can you afford?
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, Colorado statewide averages are used.