Phoenix vs Denver: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Phoenix, AZ and Denver, CO. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Phoenix
Arizona
Cost Index103.3
Median Rent$1,582/mo
Median Income$81K
State Tax2.5%
Average
Better value overall
City B
Denver
Colorado
Cost Index105.8
Median Rent$1,831/mo
Median Income$95K
State Tax4.4%
Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Denver to match your lifestyle in Phoenix?
$80,000
Phoenix
$80,000
Cost Index: 103.3
Denver
$81,909
Cost Index: 105.8
You need +$1,909 more in Denver to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index+2.4%
Phoenix103.3
Denver105.8
Median Rent+15.7%
Phoenix$2K
Denver$2K
Median Income+16.5%
Phoenix$81K
Denver$95K
Grocery Index+64.3%
Phoenix195.9
Denver321.9
Utilities Index~equal
Phoenix100.0
Denver100.0
Transportation+120.1%
Phoenix156.2
Denver343.7
Healthcare~equal
Phoenix100.0
Denver100.0
State Tax Rate+76.0%
Phoenix2.50%
Denver4.40%
Side-by-Side Chart
Phoenix: Pros & Cons
2% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,582/mo vs $1,831/mo
Lower state income tax (2.5%)
Lower grocery costs
Lower unemployment (3.5%)
Denver: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($95K)
2% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $1,831/mo vs $1,582/mo
Higher state income tax (4.4%)
Phoenix vs Denver – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Phoenix and Denver.
Phoenix has a cost of living index of 103.3, while Denver scores 105.8. Denver is approximately 2.4% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Phoenix is $1,582/month compared to $1,831/month in Denver — a difference of 16%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 102% of your Phoenix salary to maintain the same standard of living in Denver. For example, a $75,000 salary in Phoenix would need to be about $76,790 in Denver. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
Phoenix has a median household income of $81,332 with an unemployment rate of 3.5%. Denver has a median household income of $94,718 with an unemployment rate of 3.6%. While income is higher in Denver, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.