City comparison
Boston vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Boston (144.3) and Denver (123.4).
Boston Index
144.3
Denver Index
123.4
Boston Rent
$3,775
Denver Rent
$2,900
Boston Home price
$722,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Boston to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$102,620
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Boston and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Boston | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 198 | 159 | -39.0 (-19.7%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 108 | -14.0 (-11.5%) |
| Transportation | 114 | 105 | -9.0 (-7.9%) |
| Healthcare | 113 | 102 | -11.0 (-9.7%) |
| Utilities | 106 | 97 | -9.0 (-8.5%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 108 | -13.0 (-10.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,790 / $5,610
Boston / Denver
Couple
$11,270 / $9,310
Boston / Denver
Family
$15,890 / $13,130
Boston / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
View Denver city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Denver.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.