Quick answer
Denver is 48% cheaper than New York overall. A $100K salary in New York is equivalent to $52,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New York 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 48% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-46% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$52,000
New York vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$1,740/mo
-46%
2BR median rent
$4,500/mo
$2,250/mo
-50%
Median home price
$750K
$565K
-25%
Avg monthly groceries
$480
$370
-23%
Avg monthly utilities
$165
$145
-12%
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
4.4%
Denver saves
Walk score
88/100
61/100
New York better
Transit score
89/100
44/100
New York better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current New York salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$31,000
$115,000
$80,000
$42,000
$153,000
$100,000
$52,000
$192,000
$120,000
$63,000
$230,000
$150,000
$78,000
$288,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: New York vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
New York is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓media & entertainment workers
- ✓ambitious 20-somethings
- ✓culture seekers
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is New York or Denver cheaper to live in?
Denver is 48% cheaper than New York overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs New York ($3,200/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs New York $750K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in New York?
$52,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in New York based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-46% difference) and state taxes (New York: Up to 10.9% vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between New York and Denver?
1BR: New York $3,200/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (-46%). 2BR: New York $4,500/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (-50%).
Does New York or Denver have lower taxes?
New York (NY) has Up to 10.9% state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$6,500.