City comparison
Denver vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Denver (123.4) and Phoenix (113.5).
Denver Index
123.4
Phoenix Index
113.5
Denver Rent
$2,900
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Denver Home price
$549,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Denver to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$91,058
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Denver and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Denver | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 159 | 136 | -23.0 (-14.5%) |
| Groceries | 108 | 101 | -7.0 (-6.5%) |
| Transportation | 105 | 103 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Healthcare | 102 | 98 | -4.0 (-3.9%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 108 | +11.0 (+11.3%) |
| Miscellaneous | 108 | 101 | -7.0 (-6.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,610 / $5,160
Denver / Phoenix
Couple
$9,310 / $8,570
Denver / Phoenix
Family
$13,130 / $12,070
Denver / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Denver city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Denver.
View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
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.