Quick answer
Seattle is 14% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $86,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Seattle Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Seattle is 14% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+21% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$86,000
Denver vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$2,100/mo
+21%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$2,750/mo
+22%
Median home price
$565K
$780K
+38%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$430
+16%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$130
-10%
State income tax
4.4%
None
Seattle saves
Walk score
61/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
44/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$52,000
$70,000
$80,000
$69,000
$93,000
$100,000
$86,000
$116,000
$120,000
$103,000
$139,000
$150,000
$129,000
$174,000
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 Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Denver or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 14% cheaper than Denver overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Denver?
$86,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+21% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Seattle?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (+21%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (+22%).
Does Denver or Seattle have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,400.