Quick answer
Raleigh is 12% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $112,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh 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
Raleigh is 12% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+18% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$112,000
Raleigh vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$1,740/mo
+18%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$2,250/mo
+21%
Median home price
$420K
$565K
+35%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$370
+6%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$145
+0%
State income tax
4.5%
4.4%
Denver saves
Walk score
34/100
61/100
Denver better
Transit score
25/100
44/100
Denver better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$67,000
$54,000
$80,000
$90,000
$71,000
$100,000
$112,000
$89,000
$120,000
$134,000
$107,000
$150,000
$168,000
$134,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is Raleigh or Denver cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 12% cheaper than Denver overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in Raleigh?
$112,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+18% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Denver?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (+18%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (+21%).
Does Raleigh or Denver have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$100.