Cost of Living in Denver
Denver's cost of living is typically higher than the U.S. national average, driven largely by a competitive housing market. While utility costs are often estimated to be reasonable, residents should budget for higher-than-average transportation and healthcare expenses.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in Denver. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$1,650 – $2,400
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in or near the city center.
Food & Groceries
$450 – $650
Groceries and occasional mid-range dining.
Transportation
$114 – $220
RTD transit pass and occasional rideshares.
Utilities
$170 – $280
Electricity, heating, water, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare
$350 – $550
Basic private health insurance premiums and co-pays.
Entertainment
$200 – $400
Gym memberships, movies, and nightlife.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for Denver. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $1,650 – $2,400
Estimate: $450 – $650
Estimate: $114 – $220
Estimate: $170 – $280
Estimate: $350 – $550
Estimate: $200 – $400
Yearly: $3,717 × 12 = $44,604. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in Denver, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about Denver
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.