Los Angeles vs Denver
Cost of Living (2026)

Denver is 28% more affordable than Los Angeles.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

Denver, CO

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexDenver indexDifference
Housing215154 ✓-61%
Groceries153112 ✓-41%
Transportation151112 ✓-39%
Healthcare157114 ✓-43%
Utilities145110 ✓-35%

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

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Denver

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

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in DenverDifference
$60,000$40,000$-20,000
$80,000$54,000$-26,000
$100,000$67,000$-33,000
$130,000$87,000$-43,000
$150,000$101,000$-49,000
$200,000$134,000$-66,000

Los Angeles vs Denver: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO, Denver comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 118 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 28%.

State income tax impact

Los Angeles workers pay 9.3% California state income tax, while Denver workers pay 4.55%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $545,000 in Denver. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $1,800/month in Denver.

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