City comparison
Los Angeles vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Denver (123.4).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Denver Index
123.4
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Denver Rent
$2,900
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$103,872
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 159 | -49.0 (-23.6%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 108 | -15.0 (-12.2%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 105 | -13.0 (-11.0%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 102 | -9.0 (-8.1%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 97 | -12.0 (-11.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 108 | -13.0 (-10.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $5,610
Los Angeles / Denver
Couple
$11,740 / $9,310
Los Angeles / Denver
Family
$16,540 / $13,130
Los Angeles / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
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.