Quick answer
Denver is 25% cheaper than Boston overall. A $100K salary in Boston is equivalent to $75,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boston vs Denver Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Denver is 25% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-33% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$75,000
Boston vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,600/mo
$1,740/mo
-33%
2BR median rent
$3,400/mo
$2,250/mo
-34%
Median home price
$720K
$565K
-22%
Avg monthly groceries
$420
$370
-12%
Avg monthly utilities
$160
$145
-9%
State income tax
5%
4.4%
Denver saves
Walk score
83/100
61/100
Boston better
Transit score
75/100
44/100
Boston better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current Boston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$45,000
$80,000
$80,000
$60,000
$106,000
$100,000
$75,000
$133,000
$120,000
$90,000
$160,000
$150,000
$113,000
$199,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Boston vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is Boston or Denver cheaper to live in?
Denver is 25% cheaper than Boston overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs Boston ($2,600/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs Boston $720K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in Boston?
$75,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in Boston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-33% difference) and state taxes (Boston: 5% vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between Boston and Denver?
1BR: Boston $2,600/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (-33%). 2BR: Boston $3,400/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (-34%).
Does Boston or Denver have lower taxes?
Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$600.