City comparison
Denver vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Denver (123.4) and Washington (142.9).
Denver Index
123.4
Washington Index
142.9
Denver Rent
$2,900
Washington Rent
$3,800
Denver Home price
$549,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Denver to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$114,644
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Denver and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Denver | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 159 | 201 | +42.0 (+26.4%) |
| Groceries | 108 | 117 | +9.0 (+8.3%) |
| Transportation | 105 | 109 | +4.0 (+3.8%) |
| Healthcare | 102 | 111 | +9.0 (+8.8%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 104 | +7.0 (+7.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 108 | 118 | +10.0 (+9.3%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,610 / $6,720
Denver / Washington
Couple
$9,310 / $11,160
Denver / Washington
Family
$13,130 / $15,720
Denver / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Denver city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Denver.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.