Denver's 2026 cost of living is $3083 per month for singles and $6789 per month for families of four.
Living costs in Denver are 25% higher than the U.S. national average and 719% higher than Colorado's state average.
This reflects a 0% increase from 2025.
The primary drivers of Denver's cost of living are soaring housing costs, elevated transportation expenses, and rising food prices.
See how Denver's cost of living affects your budget or salary needs with Salary.com's free Cost of Living Calculator.
Cost of Living Calculator
How does Denver's cost of living compare to the national average in 2026?
Living in Denver is more expensive than the national average,
with housing costs 16.4 % higher at $1397
per month for a single person and $2561 per month for a family of four.
Food expenses run 2.0 %
below average at $392
monthly for an individual and $1274 for a family,
while energy, transportation and healthcare costs are 14.2 % higher at about $999 per month
for one person and $2263 for a household.
These costs bring the total monthly expenses to $2788
for a single person and $6098 for a family of four,
making Denver one of America's most expensive cities.
How does the cost of living compare when moving from other major cities to Denver?
Denver's 2025 cost of living is 52% lower than San Francisco,
15% less than Washington, 6% above Miami
, 10% higher than Chicago, 23% less than Boston
, and 40% below New York.
Essential for evaluating relocation costs and salary needs in Denver.
Denver is in the center of the Front Range Urban Corridor, between the Rocky Mountains to the west and the High Plains to the east. Denver's topography consists of plains in the city center with hilly areas to the north, west and south. According to the United States Census Bureau the city has a total area of 155 square miles (401 km2), of which 153 square miles (396 km2) is land and 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2) (1.1%) is water. The City and County of Denver is surrounded by only three other counties: Adams County to the north and east, Arapahoe County to the south and east, and Jefferson County...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/11/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
Comments about the cost of living in Denver, CO
What are the cheapest grocery stores?
Some stores like Smith's offer frequent discounts or loyalty programs that can save you even more at the checkout. Since groceries are an essential part of you cost of living, take advantage of discounts whenever you can. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Are there good recreational opportunities in or near Denver, CO?
If you love sports, you will love Denver, CO! Since there are football, baseball, basketball, hockey teams, you can go to a lot of games. Keep in mind that the tickets tend to be expensive, so you need to manage your entertainment budget carefully. Sometimes you can get discount tickets on line. Some people purchase a season ticket with a group of friends and take turns going to the games. Sports tickets can increase your cost of living in Denver, CO, but if you are a true sports fan it is worth it. In Denver, CO, the games are usually shown on local TV and you can host a party of friends and watch the game together. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Are there any good ways to save money on Cable TV and internet service in Denver, CO?
The average cost of internet access in the U.S. is $66.20 per month. There are many providers and various packages that are offered, many that bundle internet, cable, and phone together. Pricing for various packages can vary a lot even in the same location. You should evaluate the options based on your usage and preferences and pick the best fit for your needs. One tip to reduce this cost and your overall cost of living, is to get cable service from another source like Direct TV, Netflix, Sling, Amazon Prime or others. (2026-08-26salary.com)
I am moving with children, what should I do to make the move less stressful for them and myself?
Make sure your child has a favorite toy, doll, game, clothing, blanket, snacks, etc. to take with them during the transition. Once you arrive, let your child help with arranging and decorating their new room. You may be tempted to unpack everything when you arrive, but make sure you take a break from unpacking to spend time playing and relaxing with your child. Plan on packing a special bag to take with you with those items that you will need first. Towels, soap, a few basic kitchen utensils and food items like crackers, tea, juice, will make your new location functional as soon as you arrive and fell more like home. A small new toy, book, or video that you give to your child when you arrive might help them to feel happy and relaxed in the new location. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Electricity bills are a big part of my current cost of living and can be really high, what is the cost of electricity in Denver, Colorado?
Electric costs in Denver,CO are currently lower than average when compared to other states. Since a year ago the price of electricity in Colorado has gone down about 3.686%. Electric costs will contribute to the energy component of your overall cost of living. (2026-08-26salary.com)
I have a child, how much will child care cost per month in Denver, Colorado ?
It is difficult to exactly predict the cost of child care in any city, which for parents, is a large part of the cost of living. There are different arrangements and lengths of time that are needed to care for a child, and costs may vary a lot depending on the services provided. Based on the state average, for Denver child care for a child up to 3 years could cost $13154 per year. Colorado, is ranked NO. 7 in annual cost of child care in the U.S. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Should I plan on spending a lot on rent in Denver,CO?
In Denver,CO, my friend pays $1343 for a large 2 bedroom apartment. Since he has 2 children, he needs to have a large apartment. (2026-08-26salary.com)
I need to keep my cost of living under control, is there a lot to do in Denver, Colorado that is not very expensive?
Looks for areas of Denver, Colorado where there is a large student population. In those areas you will be sure to find lots of free or cheap events to go to and plenty of cheap places to eat. Familiarize yourself with the places where students hang out, and take advantage of discounted or bargain prices, you are sure to be able to keep your cost of living reasonable. Look at the website for Denver, CO to find recommendations for activities that are available and unique to the area. (2026-08-26salary.com)
I need to use public transportation, what is it like in Denver, Colorado?
Denver, Colorado is considered to have a very good public transport system. Colorado is ranked NO. 15 in U.S for public transportation availability. Utilizing public transportation could reduce commuting costs in Denver, Colorado. (2026-08-26salary.com)
I hate to drive in traffic, does Denver have traffic problems?
Unfortunately, driving in Denver, Colorado is not very easy and may take up a lot of your time. It is ranked as number 75 in the United States, making it below average in driver friendliness. This means that the time and ease of your driving times will impact your cost of living, since driving in heavy and slow moving traffic uses a lot of gas. (2026-08-26salary.com)
What is the average commute time in Denver, Colorado?
In Denver, CO, the average commute time is about 35.21 minutes. This can vary depending on the time of day, day of week, and the weather and road conditions. If the weather is bad, commute time can double! You should factor this commuting time into your overall cost of living, since your time has value. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Cost of living in Denver, Colorado is important, but what about the weather?
Denver, Colorado is considered to have one of the COLDEST climates in the country. On average there are 157 days each year that are below freezing. Keep in mind that a cold climate could result in increased heating expenses that will impact the cost of living. (2026-08-26salary.com)
What is the cost of public transit in Denver, Colorado?
Public transit in Denver, CO will cost you around $99.00 per month. (2026-08-26salary.com)
Cost of Living Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Cost of Living index and how is it used?
In the simplest terms, a Cost of Living index is the estimated amount that represents the cost of the basic necessities required for an individual to live. A cost of living or COL estimate may typically include estimates for housing, food, energy, medical care, transportation, taxes, and other necessities. A COL index may be used to measure what the cost difference would be for a person living in a certain location compared to another location. This cost of living comparison helps individuals make decisions about where they would like to live and what they can afford based on the costs in that location. A cost of living comparison can provide guidance about how an increase or decrease in these basic living expenses impacts necessary spending for an individual or a family.
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What factors are included in estimating your cost of living?
The Salary.com cost of living calculator estimate is based on data related to five general categories: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and energy. These are the universally recognized core components of any cost of living estimate and represent those expenses that apply to everyone. Obviously, there may be other factors that could contribute to your particular cost of living situation and not everyone has the same spending habits. For example, education and/or childcare costs might not apply to everyone, but for those who have those expenses, they could be significant and should be considered when you evaluate your cost of living comparison.
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The Salary.com cost of living calculator is unique in that it also incorporates current salary data for thousands of jobs specific to a chosen home or work location to provide a more refined estimate of the cost of living variations. You can see how your job and your salary will be impacted by a change of location. If you live in one location but work in another, the cost of living calculator will make those adjustments to provide an accurate estimate of the change in COL. The Salary.com cost of living calculator helps you to make cost of living comparisons cost comparisons easily and quickly.
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Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
Use our Salary Converter Tool, a user-friendly resource designed to see how much your salary will be if converted into hourly/weekly/biweekly/monthly/yearly pay. With just a few clicks, you can gain valuable insights into your earning potential, ensuring you make informed financial decisions.
