CostIndexUSA

Denver, CO vs Fresno, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableCA
Fresno
102.2
overall index
$1,850/mo rent

Fresno is slightly cheaper than Denver — 3.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Denver, you would need $77,300 in Fresno. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing34.9%
Denver
146.9
Fresno
95.7
🛒 Groceries+4.2%
Denver
101
Fresno
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Denver
104.4
Fresno
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Denver
94.5
Fresno
95.3
Utilities+83.2%
Denver
87.9
Fresno
161

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Denver to see what you'd need to earn in Fresno to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in Fresno

Formula: salary × (102.2 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 0.9660. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Fresno, CA

Median Home Price
$401,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
95.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.1×

Denver has 34.9% lower housing costs compared to Fresno.

Income & Job Market

Denver, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
715,522
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceEnergyHealthcareTourism

Fresno, CA

Median Household Income
$71,100
Per Capita Income
$40,500
Unemployment Rate
7.4%
Population
542,107
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareGovernmentEducationManufacturing

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Denver, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Fresno, CA
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.