New York City vs Denver
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
New York City
Denver
💡 The Verdict
37% cheaper
Denver is 37% more affordable than New York City. A $75,000 salary in New York City is equivalent to $47,326 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: New York salaries · Colorado salaries
Living in New York City vs Denver
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. New York City has a housing index of 302 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in New York City costs $680,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $160,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,200 in New York City versus $1,900 in Denver.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: New York City scores 109 while Denver scores 102.
Healthcare costs in New York City (108) are higher than Denver (104).
Median household income in New York City is $67,046 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Denver.
Relocating: New York City vs Denver
If you are considering a move between New York City (index: 187) and Denver (index: 118), the 37% 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 New York City can afford $1,564/month, while the median household in Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $680,000 in New York City versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.
Renting vs buying: At $3,200/month in New York City 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: New York City (187) vs Denver (118)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. New York City at 187 is 87% 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 69-point spread between New York City (187) and Denver (118) is large enough to reshape a household budget entirely, especially for single-income families. The biggest category divergence is housing, where New York City scores 302 and Denver scores 152. That 150-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Denver with indices of 152 versus 302. Median home prices of $680,000 in New York City and $520,000 in Denver underscore this gap.
For renters: With median rents of $3,200/month in New York City and $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $15,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $78,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $160,000 difference in median home prices between New York City and Denver translates to roughly $9,600 per month 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