City comparison
Denver vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Denver (123.4) and Boston (144.3).
Denver Index
123.4
Boston Index
144.3
Denver Rent
$2,900
Boston Rent
$3,775
Denver Home price
$549,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Denver to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$115,767
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Denver and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Denver | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 159 | 198 | +39.0 (+24.5%) |
| Groceries | 108 | 122 | +14.0 (+13.0%) |
| Transportation | 105 | 114 | +9.0 (+8.6%) |
| Healthcare | 102 | 113 | +11.0 (+10.8%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 106 | +9.0 (+9.3%) |
| Miscellaneous | 108 | 121 | +13.0 (+12.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,610 / $6,790
Denver / Boston
Couple
$9,310 / $11,270
Denver / Boston
Family
$13,130 / $15,890
Denver / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Denver city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Denver.
View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
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.