Cost of Living: Denver vs Phoenix (2026)

Denver vs Phoenix cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Phoenix is about 2% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $97,669 in Phoenix.

Phoenix is about 2% less expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $97,669 in Phoenix.

Denver vs Phoenix: the numbers

MetricDenverPhoenixDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)106103-2%
Median rent$1,770$1,458-18%
Median home value$586,700$381,900-35%
Median household income$91,681$77,041-16%

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 $97,669 in Phoenix. Going the other way, $100,000 in Phoenix is like $102,387 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver vs Phoenix

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 106 vs 103 — a 2% difference. Your money goes further in Phoenix.

About $97,669 — that's what you'd need in Phoenix to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.