Denver vs Los Angeles: cost of living compared
Los Angeles is 37% more expensive than Denver overall. State income tax tops out around 4.4% in CO vs 9.3% in CA.
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
Moving from Denver to Los Angeles means a substantial increase in overall living expenses. Los Angeles's cost of living is considerably higher, driven predominantly by housing costs, which are noticeably more expensive. While other categories also show Los Angeles as pricier, the difference in housing creates the largest gap in daily and monthly budgets, making it the primary factor in the overall cost disparity between the two metros.
Housing
Both buying and renting are significantly more expensive in Los Angeles compared to Denver. Median home prices and typical one-bedroom rents show a substantial difference, with Los Angeles demanding considerably more. While both metros feature a mix of housing types, Los Angeles often presents a denser urban environment. Beyond the mortgage or rent, property taxes and insurance costs can also be higher in Los Angeles, adding to the ownership burden.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, food, healthcare, and utilities are all higher in Los Angeles. Transportation costs are greater, and average commute times are longer. Utilities, in particular, show a noticeable difference, being more expensive in Los Angeles. Additionally, California's state income tax rate is considerably higher than Colorado's, impacting disposable income and making everyday spending feel more constrained in Los Angeles.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Denver offers a high-altitude, four-season climate with a drier atmosphere and proximity to mountain recreation. Los Angeles, in contrast, boasts a Mediterranean climate with milder winters and extensive coastal access. Getting around in Los Angeles often involves navigating extensive freeways, while Denver's urban core is more compact. Both are large metros, but Los Angeles is known for its vast, sprawling nature and higher population density.
Bottom line
For households considering a move between these two cities, the financial impact is clear: Los Angeles presents a much higher cost of living across nearly all categories. The most significant budget increase will be in housing, but everyday expenses, including taxes, will also contribute to a noticeably more expensive lifestyle. A move to Los Angeles will require a substantially larger income to maintain a comparable standard of living to Denver.
| Measure | Denver, CO | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 128 | 175 |
| Housing index | 146 | 201 |
| Transportation index | 104 | 129 |
| Food index | 105 | 112 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 118 |
| Utilities index | 98 | 128 |
| Misc index | 108 | 118 |
| Median home price | $548,000 | $795,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,950/mo | $2,400/mo |
| Average commute | 28 min | 34 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Los Angeles home with the True Cost Calculator.