Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Denver?

Denver, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,750 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of electricity costs.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Denver?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Denver?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Denver, CO is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 12% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$1,497

+21% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$1,583

+1% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$1,958

+5% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$2,269

+2% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$586,700

+15% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$91,681

+12% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$62,320

+6% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

35.2 yr

+5.7 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

49.1%

+10.7 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

55.6%

+1.9 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

28.7 min

25.4 min

+3.3 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

999.3

+24% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

2,111.5

4,781.1

+126% in Denver, CO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

50.2°F

+6.9°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

15.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.27/gal

+11% in Denver, CO

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Denver.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs RTD (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

16.2

+26% in Annapolis, MD

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$11.92

+37% in Annapolis, MD

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Denver, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Denver, CO

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / CO)

2.9%

+3.1 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

4.40%

+2.1 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Denver?: Denver, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,750 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Denver?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).