Cost of Living: Denver vs San Francisco (2026)

Denver vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 9% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $109,294 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 9% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $109,294 in San Francisco.

Denver vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricDenverSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)106116+9%
Median rent$1,770$2,419+37%
Median home value$586,700$1,380,500+135%
Median household income$91,681$141,446+54%

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 $109,294 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $91,497 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver vs San Francisco

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 106 — a 9% difference. Your money goes further in Denver.

About $109,294 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.