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Cost of Living in Denver: The 2026 Breakdown
What does it cost to live in Denver in 2026? Denver's cost of living runs about 12% above the national average, and housing is almost all of the difference: the Denver median home sold for $600,000 from April to September 2026, and a one-bedroom apartment rents for $1,400 to $1,900 a month. Below: rent vs. buying, a monthly budget, Colorado and Denver taxes, utilities, getting around, the salary you need, and how the suburbs compare.
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+12% Above the U.S. average Driven by housing | $600,000 Median home price Denver, April to September 2026 |
$1,400 to $1,900 1-bedroom rent A month, by neighborhood | 9.15% Denver sales tax Inside city limits |
A monthly budget for one adult in Denver
| Item | A month | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Housing: rent a 1-bedroom | $1,650 | One-bedroom apartment, mid-range neighborhood |
| Utilities | $190 | Xcel gas and electric, water, trash; higher in winter |
| Internet and phone | $120 | Home internet plus one phone line |
| Groceries | $420 | One adult, about 6% above the national average |
| Transportation | $450 | Car payment share, insurance, gas; or $2.75 RTD fares |
| Health insurance | $380 | Individual plan before subsidies |
| Everything else | $600 | Dining out, the mountains, fun |
| Total | $3,810 | Before income taxes and savings |
Where the money goes each month (renter, one adult)
Housing: renting vs. buying in Denver
Housing decides whether Denver feels affordable. At this week's 7.28% rate, the $600,000 Denver median with 10% down costs about $4,383 a month with taxes, insurance and PMI, against $1,650 for a one-bedroom apartment. A condo or townhome closes much of that gap, and so does a seller-paid rate buydown. Try your own numbers:
Loading the calculator with this week's rates.
More: rent or buy in Colorado at 7%, affordable homes for sale in Denver, what HOA fees cover and CHFA down payment assistance.
Taxes in Colorado and Denver
| Tax | Rate | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 4.4% flat | One rate on taxable income; no estate or inheritance tax |
| Denver sales tax | 9.15% | 2.9% state, 5.15% city, 1.1% RTD and cultural district; most suburbs charge less |
| Property tax | 0.4% to 0.7% of value a year | Among the lowest in the country: about $3,000 to $3,500 on a $600,000 home |
| Denver Occupational Privilege Tax | $5.75 a month | If you work in Denver and earn over $500 a month |
| Vehicle registration | Based on the car's value | Colorado charges a specific ownership tax: newer cars cost more to register |
Utilities, groceries and getting around
- Utilities: Xcel Energy supplies most of the metro's gas and electric. Expect $150 to $250 a month for an apartment or small home, highest in January.
- Groceries: about 6% above the national average.
- Getting around: RTD local fares are $2.75 and the A Line to the airport is $10. E-470 is a toll road. Most households in the suburbs still drive.
- Insurance: hail pushes Colorado homeowners and auto premiums above the national average. Get quotes before you sign a lease or a contract.
Costs that catch newcomers off guard
- Metro district levies. Newer suburban communities add a metro district tax to the property tax bill. Two homes at the same price can carry very different taxes.
- HOA dues and special assessments. Ask what the dues cover and whether a roof or siding assessment is coming.
- The hail deductible. A 2% wind and hail deductible on a $600,000 home is $12,000 out of pocket after a storm.
- Registering a newer car. Colorado's specific ownership tax is based on the car's value, so the first registration on a late-model car runs several hundred dollars.
- Toll roads. E-470 bills by license plate. A daily E-470 commute adds up to thousands of dollars a year.
- January energy bills. Gas heat pushes winter Xcel bills well above summer bills. Budget for the peak, not the average.
- Sales tax on big purchases. Denver's 9.15% is the highest in the metro. Furniture and appliances bought in a suburb can cost less in tax.
- Move-in fees on a rental. Application fees, deposits, pet rent and utility deposits can add a full month's rent to the first month.
Denver vs. the suburbs: what a home costs
| Area | Median sale price | Monthly payment, 10% down* | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver homes for sale | $600,000 | $4,383 | $360 |
| Aurora homes for sale | $475,000 | $3,519 | $247 |
| Lakewood homes for sale | $575,000 | $4,210 | $302 |
| Arvada homes for sale | $635,000 | $4,625 | $301 |
| Littleton homes for sale | $650,000 | $4,729 | $303 |
| Centennial homes for sale | $660,000 | $4,798 | $283 |
| Highlands Ranch homes for sale | $730,000 | $5,282 | $294 |
| Parker homes for sale | $685,000 | $4,971 | $269 |
| Castle Rock homes for sale | $697,000 | $5,054 | $265 |
| Thornton homes for sale | $525,000 | $3,864 | $266 |
| Westminster homes for sale | $535,000 | $3,934 | $284 |
| Broomfield homes for sale | $635,000 | $4,625 | $305 |
*At this week's 7.28% 30-year average with Colorado taxes, $2,800 a year insurance and PMI. Closed MLS sales, April to September 2026.
Moving here? Read the moving to Denver guide, and see this week's Colorado mortgage rates and the city market reports.
Colorado homes under $450,000, updated daily
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Quick answers
Is Denver expensive to live in?
Denver runs about 12% above the national average, and housing is the reason: the median sale price was $600,000 from April to September 2026. Groceries run about 6% above average; property tax and energy run below it.
What salary do you need to live in Denver?
To rent a one-bedroom at $1,650 a month on the 30% rule, about $66,000 a year. To buy the $600,000 median home with 10% down, about $175,323 a year at 30% of income, or less in the suburbs.
How much is rent in Denver?
One-bedroom apartments rent for $1,400 to $1,900 a month depending on the neighborhood, and two-bedrooms for $1,800 to $2,400. Downtown, LoHi and Cherry Creek sit at the top of the range.
What is the sales tax in Denver?
9.15% inside Denver city limits: 2.9% state, 5.15% city, and 1.1% for RTD and the cultural facilities district. Most suburbs charge less.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes, one flat rate of 4.4% of taxable income. Colorado has no estate or inheritance tax.
Are property taxes high in Denver?
No. Colorado homeowners pay 0.4% to 0.7% of a home's value a year, among the lowest rates in the country. On a $600,000 Denver home that is about $3,000 to $3,500 a year.
Is it cheaper to live in the Denver suburbs?
For housing, yes. The median sale price was $475,000 in Aurora and $525,000 in Thornton against $600,000 in Denver over the same six months. Commute costs and HOA dues narrow the gap, so price the whole month.
Where to go next
Ask what it costs to live where you want
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