Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Richmond?

Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $48,000 in Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Richmond?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Denver vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Richmond, VA is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 32% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$1,183

+21% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$1,195

+25% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,374

+30% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,447

+36% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$328,100

+44% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$62,671

+32% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$51,460

+17% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

34.5 yr

+0.7 yr in Denver, CO

Homeownership

49.1%

43.5%

+5.6 pp in Denver, CO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

44.1%

+11.5 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

22.1 min

+3.3 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

349

+65% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

3,240.2

+32% 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

58.9°F

+8.7°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

43.6 in

+28.0 in in Richmond, VA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.86/gal

+10% in Denver, CO

Area: Denver vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

17.6

+9% in Richmond, VA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$23.66

+98% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.00

+17% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.75

+14% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Richmond, VA

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.45

+12% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$1.90

+6% in Denver, CO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / VA)

2.9%

5.3%

+2.4 pp in VA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

5.75%

+1.3 pp in VA

Denver vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Richmond?: Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Richmond?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $48,000 in Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Richmond?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).