Quick answer
Denver is 47% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Los Angeles is equivalent to $53,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles 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 47% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-28% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$53,000
Los Angeles vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,400/mo
$1,740/mo
-28%
2BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$2,250/mo
-30%
Median home price
$850K
$565K
-34%
Avg monthly groceries
$440
$370
-16%
Avg monthly utilities
$140
$145
+4%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
4.4%
Denver saves
Walk score
68/100
61/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
53/100
44/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current Los Angeles salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$32,000
$113,000
$80,000
$42,000
$151,000
$100,000
$53,000
$188,000
$120,000
$64,000
$226,000
$150,000
$80,000
$283,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Los Angeles vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is Los Angeles or Denver cheaper to live in?
Denver is 47% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in Los Angeles?
$53,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in Los Angeles based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-28% difference) and state taxes (Los Angeles: Up to 13.3% vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Denver?
1BR: Los Angeles $2,400/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (-28%). 2BR: Los Angeles $3,200/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (-30%).
Does Los Angeles or Denver have lower taxes?
Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$8,900.