Denver vs Phoenix
Cost of Living (2026)

Phoenix is 15% more affordable than Denver.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Denver, CO

COL index118
State income tax4.55%
Avg 1BR rent$1,800/mo
Median home price$545K
VS

Phoenix, AZ

COL index100 ✓
State income tax2.5% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,450/mo ✓
Median home price$395K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDenver indexPhoenix indexDifference
Housing154130 ✓-24%
Groceries11295 ✓-17%
Transportation11296 ✓-16%
Healthcare11497 ✓-17%
Utilities11096 ✓-14%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Denver → Phoenix

What salary in Phoenix gives you the same purchasing power as your Denver salary?

Salary in DenverEquivalent in PhoenixDifference
$60,000$49,000$-11,000
$80,000$66,000$-14,000
$100,000$82,000$-18,000
$130,000$107,000$-23,000
$150,000$123,000$-27,000
$200,000$164,000$-36,000

Denver vs Phoenix: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Denver, CO and Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 100 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 15%.

State income tax impact

Denver workers pay 4.55% Colorado state income tax, while Phoenix workers pay 2.5%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Denver is $545,000, compared to $395,000 in Phoenix. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,800/month in Denver versus $1,450/month in Phoenix.

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