Cost of living in Denver, Colorado
Denver County, CO
Population 713,734 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Denver
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Denver
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Denver
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Denver
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Denver
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Denver
State and local tax rates for Colorado.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Denver
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Denver
What it costs to live in Denver each month.
- Rent $1,789
- Energy $158
- Water $60
- Groceries $359
- Transport $250
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $786
- State tax $213
- Rent $2,140
- Energy $190
- Water $70
- Groceries $595
- Transport $350
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $1,171
- State tax $336
- Rent $2,794
- Energy $237
- Water $85
- Groceries $903
- Transport $450
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $1,171
- State tax $336
Frequently asked questions about Denver
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Denver?
In Denver, Colorado, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,789 per month, a two-bedroom averages $2,140 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,794 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Denver?
In Denver, Colorado, the average household income is $91,681 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $58,097 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Denver?
The estimated cost of living in Denver, Colorado is approximately $4,095 per month for a single person, $5,716 for a couple, $8,526 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Denver?
The combined sales tax rate in Denver, Colorado is 7.77%, which includes the Colorado state rate of 2.90% plus an average local rate of 4.87%.
Is Denver an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Denver, Colorado would need approximately $4,095 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $91,681 per year ($7,640 per month). Denver has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.
How much does healthcare cost in Denver?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Denver, Colorado is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 8.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Denver?
The average home value in Denver, Colorado is $586,700, with average annual property taxes of $2,596, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Denver compare to other areas?
You can compare Denver, Colorado with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Denver is in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area.
Other counties in Colorado
Browse the full list of counties in Colorado, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in ColoradoCompare Denver with another area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP