Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Wichita?

Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Denver or Wichita?

Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Denver vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Denver

Colorado

$1,750/mo est.

Wichita

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS is roughly 46% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Denver, CO, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 31% higher in Denver, CO. Colorado has a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Denver, CO

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,497

$726

+52% in Denver, CO

1 Bedroom

$1,583

$761

+52% in Denver, CO

2 Bedroom

$1,958

$976

+50% in Denver, CO

3 Bedroom

$2,269

$1,199

+47% in Denver, CO

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$586,700

$179,500

+69% in Denver, CO

Income

Median Household Income

$91,681

$63,072

+31% in Denver, CO

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$62,320

$47,630

+24% in Denver, CO

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.2 yr

35.7 yr

+0.5 yr in Wichita, KS

Homeownership

49.1%

58.4%

+9.3 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

55.6%

30.9%

+24.7 pp in Denver, CO

Avg Commute

25.4 min

18.9 min

+6.5 min in Denver, CO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

999.3

1,238.7

+24% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

4,781.1

5,284.9

+11% in Wichita, KS

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

57.0°F

+6.8°F in Wichita, KS

Annual Precipitation

15.6 in

32.6 in

+17.1 in in Wichita, KS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.27/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Denver, CO

Area: Denver vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.2

15.1

+6% in Denver, CO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$11.92

$25.12

+111% in Wichita, KS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Denver, CO

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Denver, CO

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Wichita, KS

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Denver, CO

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Wichita, KS

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Denver, CO

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CO / KS)

2.9%

6.5%

+3.6 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.40%

5.58%

+1.2 pp in KS

Denver vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Wichita?: Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 46% below Denver, CO's $1,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Denver than in Wichita?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $63,000 a year in Denver versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Denver or Wichita?: Denver is taxed under Colorado's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.40% and a 2.9% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).