Denver vs San Francisco: cost of living compared
San Francisco is 68% 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
Comparing the cost of living between Denver and San Francisco reveals a substantial difference, with San Francisco being considerably more expensive across the board. This significant gap is primarily driven by housing costs, which are dramatically higher in the Bay Area. While other categories like transportation, food, and utilities also show San Francisco as more costly, housing stands out as the most impactful factor in the overall expense disparity between these two prominent western cities.
Housing
Housing costs present the most striking contrast. Both buying a home and renting an apartment are substantially more expensive in San Francisco compared to Denver. The median home price in San Francisco is considerably higher, and a typical one-bedroom rental commands a much larger monthly payment. While Denver offers a mix of housing types, San Francisco's housing stock is often denser, and the costs associated with homeownership, such as property taxes and insurance, can also reflect the higher values.
Taxes and everyday costs
Beyond housing, daily expenses also differ. San Francisco residents face higher costs for groceries, healthcare, and utilities. Transportation expenses are also greater in San Francisco, reflecting a more complex transit system and potentially higher fuel costs. Additionally, California's state income tax rate is noticeably higher than Colorado's, meaning a larger portion of earnings goes to state taxes, impacting overall disposable income for San Francisco residents.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Lifestyle differences extend beyond price tags. Denver, situated in the high plains near the Rocky Mountains, experiences four distinct seasons with sunny days and snowy winters. It generally offers a more spread-out urban experience, often relying on personal vehicles, though public transit is available. San Francisco, with its iconic hills and bay views, enjoys a milder, often foggy climate. It is a denser city with a robust public transportation network, making it more feasible to navigate without a car, though commutes can be longer.
Bottom line
For households considering a move between these two metros, the financial implications are significant. A household budget will stretch much further in Denver than in San Francisco, primarily due to the vast difference in housing expenses. While both cities offer unique amenities and opportunities, the overall cost of living, from a home purchase to daily necessities and state income taxes, is substantially higher in San Francisco, requiring a much larger income to maintain a comparable lifestyle.
| Measure | Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 128 | 215 |
| Housing index | 146 | 309 |
| Transportation index | 104 | 135 |
| Food index | 105 | 125 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 122 |
| Utilities index | 98 | 148 |
| Misc index | 108 | 138 |
| Median home price | $548,000 | $1,250,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,950/mo | $3,450/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 San Francisco home with the True Cost Calculator.