City comparison
Phoenix vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Phoenix (113.5) and Denver (123.4).
Phoenix Index
113.5
Denver Index
123.4
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Denver Rent
$2,900
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Phoenix to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$98,937
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Phoenix and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Phoenix | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 136 | 159 | +23.0 (+16.9%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 108 | +7.0 (+6.9%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 105 | +2.0 (+1.9%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 102 | +4.0 (+4.1%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 97 | -11.0 (-10.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 108 | +7.0 (+6.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,160 / $5,610
Phoenix / Denver
Couple
$8,570 / $9,310
Phoenix / Denver
Family
$12,070 / $13,130
Phoenix / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
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.