Denver vs Tempe

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: Colorado salaries · Arizona salaries

Living in Denver vs Tempe

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Tempe sits at 114 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $400,000 in Tempe, a difference of $120,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,600 in Tempe.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Tempe scores 100. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Tempe (95). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $56,068 in Tempe. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Tempe.

Relocating: Denver vs Tempe

If you are considering a move between Denver (index: 118) and Tempe (index: 106), the 10% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Tempe 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 Denver can afford $1,695/month, while the median household in Tempe can afford $1,308/month. With median homes at $520,000 in Denver versus $400,000 in Tempe, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $1,900/month in Denver and $1,600/month in Tempe, renters face similar costs in both cities. 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 Tempe. 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: Denver (118) vs Tempe (106)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Denver at 118 is 18% above the US average, while Tempe at 106 is 6% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

A 12-point index spread separates Denver from Tempe, a moderate gap that adds up across monthly bills but is manageable with a typical dual-income household budget. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Denver scores 152 and Tempe scores 114. That 38-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Tempe with indices of 114 versus 152. Median home prices of $520,000 in Denver and $400,000 in Tempe underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Denver has an edge in utilities, while Tempe is more affordable for housing and groceries. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,900/month in Denver and $1,600/month in Tempe, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,600. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $18,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $120,000 difference in median home prices between Denver and Tempe translates to roughly $7,200 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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