Cost of Living: Boston vs Denver (2026)

Boston vs Denver cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Denver is about 2% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $97,706 in Denver.

Denver is about 2% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $97,706 in Denver.

Boston vs Denver: the numbers

MetricBostonDenverDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108106-2%
Median rent$2,093$1,770-15%
Median home value$710,400$586,700-17%
Median household income$94,755$91,681-3%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $97,706 in Denver. Going the other way, $100,000 in Denver is like $102,348 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Denver.

Compare any salary: Boston vs Denver

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 108 vs 106 — a 2% difference. Your money goes further in Denver.

About $97,706 — that's what you'd need in Denver to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.