Cost of living, Denver
105.8
BEA Regional Price Parity vs US average of 100 (2024). Denver sits about 5.8% above national prices.
BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA RPP all-items, 2024. Disclaimer
- vs US
- +5.8%
- Metro
- Denver
- CBSA
- 19740
Denver all-items RPP is 105.8 (2024), about 5.8% above US-average prices. A $90,000 salary at national prices maps to about $95,220 here for equal purchasing power.
Price components in Denver
| Component | Denver | US |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.8 | 100 |
| Goods | 101.0 | 100 |
| Housing (rents) | 146.9 | 100 |
| Other services | 99.4 | 100 |
BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, US = 100.
What a US-average salary buys in Denver
| At US average | In Denver |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | $63,480 |
| $90,000 | $95,220 |
| $150,000 | $158,700 |
Local equivalent = national salary × (105.8 ÷ 100). BEA RPP 2024.
Highest wages here
- Physicians, All Other , 1,170 OEWS emp. $298,600
- Computer and Information Systems Managers , 7,730 OEWS emp. $203,340
- Financial Managers , 7,490 OEWS emp. $193,400
- Architectural and Engineering Managers , 2,860 OEWS emp. $191,440
- Marketing Managers , 4,220 OEWS emp. $182,470
- Sales Managers , 5,930 OEWS emp. $181,580
FAQ
- What is the cost of living in Denver?
- The BEA Regional Price Parity (all items, 2024) for Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is 105.8, versus a US average of 100 (+5.8%).
- How is RPP different from CPI?
- CPI tracks price change over time. RPP compares price levels across places in a given year versus the national average of 100. PayByCity uses RPP for cross-metro purchasing power, including goods, housing rents, and other services components.
- How should I use this with OEWS wages?
- Pair local BLS OEWS medians (May 2025) with this RPP. A $90,000 salary at US-average prices maps to about $95,220 in Denver for equal purchasing power.
- Does this include taxes or housing alone?
- No. All-items RPP is a broad price-level index. Component indexes show goods, rents, and other services separately, but this is not a rent quote, tax estimate, or household budget.
What this covers
Includes
- BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
- BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
- Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)
Does not include
- Federal, state, or local income taxes
- Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
- Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand
See methodology and disclaimer.