Is it cheaper to live in Denver or New York City?

Denver, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,750 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below New York City, NY's $1,990, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in New York City?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $68,000 in New York City.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or New York City?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Denver vs New York City Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

New York City

New York

$1,990/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,750 in Denver, CO versus $1,990 in New York City, NY. Overall, Denver, CO is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New York City, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $79,713 in New York City, NY — about 13% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

New York City, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$1,633

+9% in New York City, NY

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$1,705

+8% in New York City, NY

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,781

+9% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$2,065

+9% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$751,700

+28% in New York City, NY

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$79,713

+13% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$61,430

+1% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

38.0 yr

+2.8 yr in New York City, NY

Homeownership

49.1%

32.8%

+16.3 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

41.0%

+14.6 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

40.6 min

+15.2 min in New York City, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

998.3

690.9

+31% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.9

2,413.5

+50% 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

50.2°F

55.0°F

+4.8°F in New York City, NY

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

49.9 in

+34.4 in in New York City, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.58/gal

$4.44/gal

+3% in Denver, CO

Area: Denver vs New York City.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

$3.00

+9% in New York City, NY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.7

28.6

+71% in New York City, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.64

$18.90

+62% in New York City, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.37

$4.14

+5% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.10

$1.92

+9% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.25

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.23

$6.90

+5% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.14

$2.02

+5% in Denver, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.74

$0.68

+9% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / NY)

2.9%

+1.1 pp in NY

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

10.90%

+6.5 pp in NY

Denver vs New York City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or New York City?: Denver, CO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,750 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below New York City, NY's $1,990, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in New York City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $68,000 in New York City.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or New York City?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); New York City under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% 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).