Quick answer
Denver is 88% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $188,000 in Los Angeles.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Los Angeles Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Denver is 88% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+38% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$188,000
Denver vs Los Angeles: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$2,400/mo
+38%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$3,200/mo
+42%
Median home price
$565K
$850K
+50%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$440
+19%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$140
-3%
State income tax
4.4%
Up to 13.3%
Denver saves
Walk score
61/100
68/100
Los Angeles better
Transit score
44/100
53/100
Los Angeles better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Los Angeles to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$113,000
$32,000
$80,000
$151,000
$42,000
$100,000
$188,000
$53,000
$120,000
$226,000
$64,000
$150,000
$283,000
$80,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Denver vs Los Angeles
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Los Angeles is best for
- ✓entertainment industry workers
- ✓creatives
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓entrepreneurs
FAQs
Is Denver or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Denver is 88% cheaper than Los Angeles overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs Los Angeles ($2,400/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs Los Angeles $850K.
How much salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100K in Denver?
$188,000 in Los Angeles is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+38% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Los Angeles: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Los Angeles?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Los Angeles $2,400/mo (+38%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Los Angeles $3,200/mo (+42%).
Does Denver or Los Angeles have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Los Angeles (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$8,900.