Cost of Living Comparison for Denver, CO
Updated 2026 · Local data pre-filled
Denver's cost of living index is 121 — 21% more expensive than the national average. This factors in housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Use this calculator to see how your purchasing power would change if you moved to another city.
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How Denver Compares to the National Average
Understanding how Denver stacks up helps you calibrate your financial planning.
| Metric | Denver, CO | US Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $565,000 | $420,800 | +34.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,395 | $1,713 | -18.6% |
| Median Household Income | $85,200 | $74,580 | +14.2% |
| Property Tax Rate | 0.55% | 1.10% | -50.0% |
| Cost of Living Index | 121 | 100 | +21.0% |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, NAR (2024–2025). Green = favorable for residents; red = less favorable.
Denver Financial Snapshot
- Population (Metro)
- 2,930,000
- Unemployment
- 3.3%
- Avg Commute
- 26 min
- Median Age
- 36.6
- Price-to-Rent Ratio
- 33.8x
- Annual Property Tax
- $3,108
Cost of Living Comparison in Other Colorado Cities
Frequently Asked Questions — Denver
What is the median home price in Denver, CO?
The median home price in Denver is $565,000 as of 2025–2026. This is above the national median of $420,800.
What is the average rent in Denver?
Median monthly rent in Denver is $1,395. That works out to $16,740/year, or 20% of the median household income — within the commonly recommended 30% of income guideline.
Is Denver affordable?
Denver's cost of living index is 121 vs. the national average of 100. With a median household income of $85,200/year and a median home price of $565,000, the price-to-income ratio is 6.6x. This makes homeownership a significant stretch for the typical Denver household.
What is the property tax rate in Denver?
The effective property tax rate in Denver is 0.55% of assessed value. On the median home of $565,000, that's roughly $3,108/year ($259/month).