Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Denver?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $63,000 in Denver.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Denver?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Denver under Colorado's (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Denver Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,080/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 $1,080 in Columbus, GA versus $1,750 in Denver, CO. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 38% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $91,681 in Denver, CO — about 38% higher in Denver, CO. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Denver, CO

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,497

+81% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$875

$1,583

+81% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,958

+98% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$2,269

+86% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$586,700

+222% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$91,681

+62% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$62,320

+43% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

35.2 yr

+0.1 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

50.2%

49.1%

+1.1 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

55.6%

+25.9 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

20.2 min

25.4 min

+5.2 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

999.3

+63% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

2,273.4

4,781.1

+110% 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

65.7°F

50.2°F

+15.5°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

15.6 in

+31.2 in in Columbus, GA

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)

15.8

16.2

+2% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$33.28

$11.92

+64% in Columbus, GA

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 Columbus, GA

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 (GA / CO)

2.9%

+1.1 pp in GA

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.40%

+0.8 pp in GA

Columbus vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Denver?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,080 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 38% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Denver?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $63,000 in Denver.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Denver?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% 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).