Quick answer
Seattle is 16% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $116,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle 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
Seattle is 16% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-17% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$116,000
Seattle vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,740/mo
-17%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$2,250/mo
-18%
Median home price
$780K
$565K
-28%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$370
-14%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$145
+12%
State income tax
None
4.4%
Seattle saves
Walk score
74/100
61/100
Seattle better
Transit score
59/100
44/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$70,000
$52,000
$80,000
$93,000
$69,000
$100,000
$116,000
$86,000
$120,000
$139,000
$103,000
$150,000
$174,000
$129,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is Seattle or Denver cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 16% cheaper than Denver overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in Seattle?
$116,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-17% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Denver?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (-17%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (-18%).
Does Seattle or Denver have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,400.