City comparison
Denver vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Denver (123.4) and Seattle (137.2).
Denver Index
123.4
Seattle Index
137.2
Denver Rent
$2,900
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Denver Home price
$549,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Denver to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$110,071
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Denver and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Denver | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 159 | 184 | +25.0 (+15.7%) |
| Groceries | 108 | 118 | +10.0 (+9.3%) |
| Transportation | 105 | 113 | +8.0 (+7.6%) |
| Healthcare | 102 | 109 | +7.0 (+6.9%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 103 | +6.0 (+6.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 108 | 116 | +8.0 (+7.4%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,610 / $6,410
Denver / Seattle
Couple
$9,310 / $10,640
Denver / Seattle
Family
$13,130 / $15,000
Denver / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Denver city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Denver.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.