Cost of Living: Denver vs Los Angeles (2026)

Denver vs Los Angeles cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Los Angeles is about 7% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $107,359 in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles is about 7% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $107,359 in Los Angeles.

Denver vs Los Angeles: the numbers

MetricDenverLos AngelesDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)106114+7%
Median rent$1,770$1,879+6%
Median home value$586,700$879,500+50%
Median household income$91,681$80,366-12%

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 Denver has the same buying power as about $107,359 in Los Angeles. Going the other way, $100,000 in Los Angeles is like $93,146 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver vs Los Angeles

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Los Angeles is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 114 vs 106 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Denver.

About $107,359 — that's what you'd need in Los Angeles to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.