Cost of Living: Denver vs Seattle (2026)

Denver vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 5% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $105,059 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 5% more expensive than Denver overall — $100,000 in Denver is worth about $105,059 in Seattle.

Denver vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricDenverSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)106111+5%
Median rent$1,770$1,998+13%
Median home value$586,700$912,100+55%
Median household income$91,681$121,984+33%

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 $105,059 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $95,185 in Denver.

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

Compare any salary: Denver vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 111 vs 106 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Denver.

About $105,059 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denver.