Boston vs Denver
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Boston
Denver
💡 The Verdict
27% cheaper
Denver is 27% more affordable than Boston. A $75,000 salary in Boston is equivalent to $54,630 in Denver.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Colorado salaries
Living in Boston vs Denver
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $100,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $1,900 in Denver.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Boston scores 108 while Denver scores 102.
Healthcare costs in Boston (118) are higher than Denver (104).
Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Denver.
Relocating: Boston vs Denver
If you are considering a move between Boston (index: 162) and Denver (index: 118), the 27% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Denver is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Boston can afford $1,780/month, while the median household in Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $620,000 in Boston versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.
Renting vs buying: At $2,800/month in Boston and $1,900/month in Denver, renters save significantly in Denver. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes significantly further in Denver. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Boston (162) vs Denver (118)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Boston at 162 is 62% above the US average, while Denver at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $2,800/month in Boston and $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $10,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $54,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $100,000 difference in median home prices between Boston and Denver translates to roughly $6,000 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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