Median rent is 27% lower in Denver ($1,770/mo vs $2,419/mo). Buying is cheaper in Denver, where the median home runs $586,700 versus $1,380,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($141,446 vs $91,681 a year).
City A
Denver, CO
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Denver, CO?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Denver
Colorado
San Francisco
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Denver — median rent of $1,770/mo versus $2,419/mo in San Francisco, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,380,500 versus $586,700 in Denver — 58% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Colorado's top income tax rate is 4.40% versus 13.30% in California, so Denver is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 2.90% in Colorado and 7.25% in California; Denver has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Denver
Income tax: 4.40%
Sales tax: 2.90%
San Francisco
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Denver (avg AQI 33.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($141,446/yr).
Pick Denver if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,770/mo median).
Pick Denver if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.40%).
Is Denver cheaper than San Francisco?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Denver vs San Francisco?
Median rent is $1,770/mo in Denver, CO and $2,419/mo in San Francisco, CA. Denver, CO has the lower rent by about 27%.
Which has higher salaries — Denver or San Francisco?
Median household income is $91,681 in Denver, CO and $141,446 in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Denver or San Francisco?
Colorado's top income tax rate is 4.40% and California's is 13.30%. Denver, CO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match my Denver income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology