Cost of Living: Columbus vs Denver (2026)

Columbus vs Denver cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Denver is about 11% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $110,802 in Denver.

Denver is about 11% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $110,802 in Denver.

Columbus vs Denver: the numbers

MetricColumbusDenverDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)95106+11%
Median rent$1,224$1,770+45%
Median home value$234,500$586,700+150%
Median household income$65,327$91,681+40%

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 Columbus has the same buying power as about $110,802 in Denver. Going the other way, $100,000 in Denver is like $90,251 in Columbus.

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

Compare any salary: Columbus vs Denver

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 106 vs 95 — a 11% difference. Your money goes further in Columbus.

About $110,802 — that's what you'd need in Denver to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbus.