City comparison
Seattle vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Denver (123.4).
Seattle Index
137.2
Denver Index
123.4
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Denver Rent
$2,900
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$101,634
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 159 | -25.0 (-13.6%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 108 | -10.0 (-8.5%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 105 | -8.0 (-7.1%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 102 | -7.0 (-6.4%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 97 | -6.0 (-5.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 108 | -8.0 (-6.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $5,610
Seattle / Denver
Couple
$10,640 / $9,310
Seattle / Denver
Family
$15,000 / $13,130
Seattle / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.