City comparison
Washington vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Denver (123.4).
Washington Index
142.9
Denver Index
123.4
Washington Rent
$3,800
Denver Rent
$2,900
Washington Home price
$705,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$102,761
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 159 | -42.0 (-20.9%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 108 | -9.0 (-7.7%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 105 | -4.0 (-3.7%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 102 | -9.0 (-8.1%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 97 | -7.0 (-6.7%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 108 | -10.0 (-8.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $5,610
Washington / Denver
Couple
$11,160 / $9,310
Washington / Denver
Family
$15,720 / $13,130
Washington / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.