Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Spokane?

Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $36,000 in Spokane.

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Spokane?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Denver vs Spokane Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

Spokane

Washington

$1,070/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 $1,070 in Spokane, WA. Overall, Spokane, WA is roughly 39% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $65,745 in Spokane, WA — about 28% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Spokane, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$884

+41% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$903

+43% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$1,192

+39% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,442

+36% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$326,200

+44% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$65,745

+28% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$54,660

+12% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

37.2 yr

+2.0 yr in Spokane, WA

Homeownership

49.1%

58.3%

+9.2 pp in Spokane, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

32.6%

+23.0 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

21.2 min

+4.2 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

683.6

+32% in Denver, CO

Property Crime

4,781.1

4,931.8

+3% in Spokane, WA

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

48.9°F

+1.3°F in Denver, CO

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

17.8 in

+2.2 in in Spokane, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$5.12/gal

+20% in Spokane, WA

Area: Denver vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

14.9

+7% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$20.41

+71% in Spokane, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

about equal

Bread (lb)

$2.04

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / WA)

2.9%

6.5%

+3.6 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

None

+4.4 pp in CO

Denver vs Spokane — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Spokane?: Spokane, WA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,070 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 39% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Spokane?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $36,000 in Spokane.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Spokane?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Spokane under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).