Quick answer
Denver is 52% cheaper than San Francisco overall. A $100K salary in San Francisco is equivalent to $48,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
San Francisco 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 52% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-38% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$48,000
San Francisco vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,800/mo
$1,740/mo
-38%
2BR median rent
$3,800/mo
$2,250/mo
-41%
Median home price
$1,100K
$565K
-49%
Avg monthly groceries
$460
$370
-20%
Avg monthly utilities
$125
$145
+16%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
4.4%
Denver saves
Walk score
88/100
61/100
San Francisco better
Transit score
80/100
44/100
San Francisco better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current San Francisco salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$29,000
$124,000
$80,000
$39,000
$165,000
$100,000
$48,000
$206,000
$120,000
$58,000
$248,000
$150,000
$73,000
$310,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: San Francisco vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
San Francisco is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech professionals
- ✓high earners
- ✓urban walkability seekers
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is San Francisco or Denver cheaper to live in?
Denver is 52% cheaper than San Francisco overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs San Francisco ($2,800/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs San Francisco $1,100K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in San Francisco?
$48,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in San Francisco based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-38% difference) and state taxes (San Francisco: Up to 13.3% vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Denver?
1BR: San Francisco $2,800/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (-38%). 2BR: San Francisco $3,800/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (-41%).
Does San Francisco or Denver have lower taxes?
San Francisco (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.