City comparison
San Diego vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between San Diego (141.4) and Denver (123.4).
San Diego Index
141.4
Denver Index
123.4
San Diego Rent
$3,700
Denver Rent
$2,900
San Diego Home price
$738,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in San Diego to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$102,106
Based on the relative overall cost of living between San Diego and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | San Diego | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 194 | 159 | -35.0 (-18.0%) |
| Groceries | 122 | 108 | -14.0 (-11.5%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 105 | -4.0 (-3.7%) |
| Healthcare | 110 | 102 | -8.0 (-7.3%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 97 | -11.0 (-10.2%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 108 | -10.0 (-8.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,650 / $5,610
San Diego / Denver
Couple
$11,040 / $9,310
San Diego / Denver
Family
$15,560 / $13,130
San Diego / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View San Diego city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Diego.
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.