Seattle vs Denver
Cost of Living (2026)

Denver is 21% more affordable than Seattle. Plus, Washington has no state income tax vs Colorado's 4.55%.

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At a glance

Seattle, WA

COL index150
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo
Median home price$780K
VS

Denver, CO

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexDenver indexDifference
Housing198154 ✓-44%
Groceries141112 ✓-29%
Transportation140112 ✓-28%
Healthcare145114 ✓-31%
Utilities135110 ✓-25%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Denver

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in DenverDifference
$60,000$50,000$-10,000
$80,000$67,000$-13,000
$100,000$84,000$-16,000
$130,000$109,000$-21,000
$150,000$126,000$-24,000
$200,000$168,000$-32,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, Denver comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 118 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 21%.

State income tax impact

Washington has no state income tax, giving Seattle workers an immediate 4.55% take-home pay advantage over Denver workers who pay Colorado's 4.55% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Seattle is $780,000, compared to $545,000 in Denver. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,200/month in Seattle versus $1,800/month in Denver.

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