CostIndexUSA

Denver, CO vs New York, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
NY
New York
112.6
overall index
$3,225/mo rent

Denver is moderately cheaper than New York — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Denver, you would need $85,100 in New York. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+1.2%
Denver
146.9
New York
148.6
🛒 Groceries+9.2%
Denver
101
New York
110.3
🚗 Transportation+6.4%
Denver
104.4
New York
111.1
🏥 Healthcare+6.3%
Denver
94.5
New York
100.5
Utilities+44.5%
Denver
87.9
New York
127

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in New York, NY
$85,100
$5,100 more needed in New York

Formula: salary × (112.6 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 1.0643. 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×

New York, NY

Median Home Price
$703,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,225
Housing Index
148.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.2×

New York has 1.2% higher housing costs compared to Denver.

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

New York, NY

Median Household Income
$95,200
Per Capita Income
$54,300
Unemployment Rate
5.2%
Population
8,336,817
Top Industries
FinanceTechnologyMediaReal EstateHealthcare

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)

New York, NY
2.5×income-to-rent ratio

59% 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.