Quick answer
Denver is 1% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $100K salary in Chicago is equivalent to $99,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Chicago 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 1% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-6% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$99,000
Chicago vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,850/mo
$1,740/mo
-6%
2BR median rent
$2,350/mo
$2,250/mo
-4%
Median home price
$340K
$565K
+66%
Avg monthly groceries
$390
$370
-5%
Avg monthly utilities
$155
$145
-6%
State income tax
4.95%
4.4%
Denver saves
Walk score
78/100
61/100
Chicago better
Transit score
65/100
44/100
Chicago better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current Chicago salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$59,000
$61,000
$80,000
$79,000
$81,000
$100,000
$99,000
$101,000
$120,000
$119,000
$121,000
$150,000
$149,000
$151,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Chicago vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
Chicago is best for
- ✓urban explorers
- ✓foodies
- ✓architecture lovers
- ✓transit users
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is Chicago or Denver cheaper to live in?
Denver is 1% cheaper than Chicago overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs Chicago ($1,850/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs Chicago $340K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in Chicago?
$99,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in Chicago based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-6% difference) and state taxes (Chicago: 4.95% vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Denver?
1BR: Chicago $1,850/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (-6%). 2BR: Chicago $2,350/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (-4%).
Does Chicago or Denver have lower taxes?
Chicago (IL) has 4.95% state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$550.