salaryDenver is the largest city in Colorado that we track, with 718,877 residents. Rent is higher than in 72% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 6.0 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. It is a highly educated city: 56.5% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $82,600 a year. That is $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Colorado cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Colorado. It is number 54 of 112 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Denver with other big cities
Compare Denver to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Denver?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Denver
| Size | Denver | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,658 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,753 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,127 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,555 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,705 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Denver overall?
Everyday prices in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial metro area are 6% above the U.S. average (index 105.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Denver
Life in Denver
What jobs pay in Denver
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $177,380 | 14.0% |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | 15.7% |
| Operations Manager | $142,330 | 17.4% |
| Software Developer | $137,610 | 18.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | 18.4% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | 18.5% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $127,880 | 19.4% |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | 21.8% |
| Civil Engineer | $104,710 | 23.7% |
| Police Officer | $101,970 | 24.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | 24.5% |
| Accountant | $100,020 | 24.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $99,040 | 25.0% |
| Firefighter | $87,980 | 28.2% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,910 | 32.2% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $75,810 | 32.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $71,580 | 34.6% |
| Carpenter | $64,910 | 38.2% |
| Plumber | $63,900 | 38.8% |
| Truck Driver | $63,900 | 38.8% |
| Electrician | $63,150 | 39.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $49,700 | 49.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $49,110 | 50.5% |
| Customer Service Representative | $48,590 | 51.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $46,290 | 53.5% |
| Restaurant Cook | $44,370 | 55.8% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $39,650 | 62.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $38,470 | 64.4% |
| Cashier | $37,620 | 65.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Denver?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $2,209 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $616,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $61,600 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Denver, CO?
Renting in Denver costs a median of about $2,065 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Colorado median is $2,080.
How much do I need to make to live in Denver?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $82,600 a year, or $40 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Denver cheap or expensive?
Denver is rated OK: rent takes 24.3% of the typical household income of $102,153. It ranks 54th cheapest of 112 Colorado cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Denver?
The median homeowner in Denver pays $2,751 a year in property taxes, about 0.45% of the median home value.
Is Denver more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Denver?
The median home value in Denver is $616,000, about 6.0 times the typical yearly household income.
718,877 people live in Denver. Numbers are typical (middle) values.