Boston vs Denver: cost of living compared
Denver is 21% cheaper than Boston overall. State income tax tops out around 4.4% in CO vs 5% in MA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Comparing Boston and Denver reveals a substantial difference in overall cost of living. Boston is considerably more expensive across the board, with its higher costs driven primarily by housing. While other categories like transportation, food, and healthcare also show Boston as more costly, the gap in housing expenses is the most significant factor contributing to the overall disparity between these two major metropolitan areas.
Housing
Housing costs present a major contrast. Both buying and renting are noticeably more expensive in Boston, where median home prices and typical one-bedroom rents are substantially higher than in Denver. Boston's housing stock often includes older, multi-family structures in a dense urban environment, while Denver offers a mix of housing types. Property taxes and insurance costs can also vary, impacting the true cost of ownership in each metro.
Taxes and everyday costs
Beyond housing, daily expenses also differ. Boston has a slightly higher state income tax rate. Transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all more expensive in Boston compared to Denver. Utilities, in particular, show a considerable difference, with Boston being much costlier. This means that nearly every aspect of daily spending, from groceries to getting around, will be more budget-friendly in Denver.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Lifestyle differences are notable. Boston offers a dense, historic East Coast experience with a well-established public transit system and a distinct four-season climate, including cold, snowy winters. Denver provides a high-altitude, drier climate with abundant sunshine and access to outdoor activities, though it also experiences cold winters. Commute times are roughly similar, but the general pace and urban character of each city are quite distinct.
Bottom line
Moving between Boston and Denver represents a significant financial shift. A household budget will stretch much further in Denver, primarily due to considerably lower housing expenses, but also because everyday costs like utilities, food, and transportation are more affordable. While both offer vibrant urban experiences, the financial implications of living in Boston are substantially greater than in Denver for nearly all categories of spending.
| Measure | Boston, MA | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 162 | 128 |
| Housing index | 194 | 146 |
| Transportation index | 121 | 104 |
| Food index | 115 | 105 |
| Healthcare index | 118 | 108 |
| Utilities index | 135 | 98 |
| Misc index | 122 | 108 |
| Median home price | $698,000 | $548,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $2,850/mo | $1,950/mo |
| Average commute | 32 min | 28 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Denver home with the True Cost Calculator.