Cost of Living: Denver vs Philadelphia (2026)

Denver vs Philadelphia cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Philadelphia is about 3% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $96,948 in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia is about 3% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $96,948 in Philadelphia.

Denver vs Philadelphia: the numbers

MetricDenverPhiladelphiaDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)106103-3%
Median rent$1,770$1,323-25%
Median home value$586,700$232,400-60%
Median household income$91,681$60,698-34%

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 $96,948 in Philadelphia. Going the other way, $100,000 in Philadelphia is like $103,148 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver vs Philadelphia

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 106 vs 103 — a 3% difference. Your money goes further in Philadelphia.

About $96,948 — that's what you'd need in Philadelphia to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.