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Seattle vs Denver

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Denver is 21% cheaper than Seattle overall.Seattle has a cost of living index of 150 vs Denver at 118 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Seattle costs 32% more.

Pierre
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Seattle
WA
150
COLI index
VS
Denver
CO
118
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategorySeattleDenverDifference
Overall COLI150118-21%
Housing248168-32%
Groceries111105-5%
Transport114110-4%
Healthcare107106-1%
Utilities8996+8%

Median 1BR Rent

Seattle
$2,100/mo
Denver
$1,750/mo

Median Home Price

Seattle
$755,000
Denver
$545,000

Median Household Income

Seattle
$105,391
Denver
$72,173

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Frequently Asked Questions

Denver is cheaper to live in overall. Seattle has a cost of living index of 150 while Denver has an index of 118, where 100 represents the US national average. Denver is 21% cheaper than Seattle overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Seattle is $2,100 per month compared to $1,750 in Denver. The median home price in Seattle is $755,000 versus $545,000 in Denver. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Seattle has a cost of living index of 150 and Denver has an index of 118, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Seattle, multiply by 0.79. For example a $75,000 salary in Seattle is equivalent to approximately $59,000 in Denver.

Seattle has a median household income of $105,391 per year versus $72,173 in Denver. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Seattle to Denver is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Denver is 21% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.