Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
15% cheaper
Phoenix is 15% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $63,559 in Phoenix.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Phoenix sits at 102 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $350,000 in Phoenix, a difference of $170,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,400 in Phoenix.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Phoenix scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Phoenix (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $57,459 in Phoenix. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Phoenix.
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