Quick answer
Raleigh is 11% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $89,000 in Raleigh.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Raleigh Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Raleigh is 11% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-15% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$89,000
Denver vs Raleigh: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$1,480/mo
-15%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$1,860/mo
-17%
Median home price
$565K
$420K
-26%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$350
-5%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$145
+0%
State income tax
4.4%
4.5%
Denver saves
Walk score
61/100
34/100
Denver better
Transit score
44/100
25/100
Denver better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$54,000
$67,000
$80,000
$71,000
$90,000
$100,000
$89,000
$112,000
$120,000
$107,000
$134,000
$150,000
$134,000
$168,000
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 Raleigh
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
FAQs
Is Denver or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 11% cheaper than Denver overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Raleigh to match $100K in Denver?
$89,000 in Raleigh is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-15% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Raleigh: 4.5%).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Raleigh?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Raleigh $1,480/mo (-15%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Raleigh $1,860/mo (-17%).
Does Denver or Raleigh have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$100.