Boston vs Denver

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Massachusetts salaries · Colorado salaries

Living in Boston vs Denver

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Boston has a housing index of 242 while Denver sits at 152 (national average = 100). The median home in Boston costs $620,000 compared to $520,000 in Denver, a difference of $100,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,800 in Boston versus $1,900 in Denver.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Boston scores 108 while Denver scores 102.

Healthcare costs in Boston (118) are higher than Denver (104).

Median household income in Boston is $76,298 compared to $72,661 in Denver. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Denver.

Relocating: Boston vs Denver

If you are considering a move between Boston (index: 162) and Denver (index: 118), the 27% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Denver is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Boston can afford $1,780/month, while the median household in Denver can afford $1,695/month. With median homes at $620,000 in Boston versus $520,000 in Denver, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $2,800/month in Boston and $1,900/month in Denver, renters save significantly in Denver. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes significantly further in Denver. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Boston (162) vs Denver (118)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Boston at 162 is 62% above the US average, while Denver at 118 is 18% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

The 44-point spread between Boston (162) and Denver (118) is large enough to reshape a household budget entirely, especially for single-income families. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Boston scores 242 and Denver scores 152. That 90-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Denver with indices of 152 versus 242. Median home prices of $620,000 in Boston and $520,000 in Denver underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $2,800/month in Boston and $1,900/month in Denver, the annual rent difference is approximately $10,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $54,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $100,000 difference in median home prices between Boston and Denver translates to roughly $6,000 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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