City comparison
Chicago vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Denver (123.4).
Chicago Index
113.6
Denver Index
123.4
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Denver Rent
$2,900
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$98,850
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 159 | +31.0 (+24.2%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 108 | +2.0 (+1.9%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 105 | -7.0 (-6.3%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 102 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 97 | -4.0 (-4.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 108 | +3.0 (+2.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $5,610
Chicago / Denver
Couple
$8,520 / $9,310
Chicago / Denver
Family
$12,000 / $13,130
Chicago / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
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.