Davenport vs Denver
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Davenport
Denver
💡 The Verdict
Davenport is 25% cheaper than Denver overall. A $75,000 salary in Davenport is equivalent to $100,568 in Denver.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Davenport (left) vs Denver (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Davenport versus Denver. Differences shown from Davenport perspective.
| Item | Davenport | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $970/mo | $1,420/mo | $-450.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,280/mo | $1,900/mo | $-620.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $1,700/mo | $2,410/mo | $-710.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $1.99 | $3.06 | $-1.07 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.21 | $4.03 | $-0.82 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.71 | $2.89 | $-0.18 |
| Coffee (latte) | $4.94 | $5.83 | $-0.89 |
| Gas (gallon) | $2.91 | $3.29 | $-0.38 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12.04 | $18.25 | $-6.21 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Davenport has the same purchasing power as $100,568 in Denver.
Conversely, $75,000 in Denver equals $55,932 in Davenport.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
Both states have similar effective tax rates on this salary level. Iowa details → · Colorado details →
Reading These Numbers: Davenport (88) vs Denver (118)
Davenport at 88 is 12% below 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.
In Davenport, the composite index of 88 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 89, followed by groceries (79), utilities (83), transportation (87), and healthcare (83). Costs are fairly balanced across categories.
For renters: With median rents of $1,280/mo in Davenport and $1,900/mo in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $7,440.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $37,200.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $206,000.0 difference in median home prices between Davenport and Denver translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
🔗 Related Tools
📚 Moving & Relocation Resources
Amazon affiliate links
CITY PROFILES
Making Your Decision: Davenport vs Denver
Choosing between Davenport and Denver involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Davenport and Denver can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.