Denver vs Seattle: cost of living compared
Seattle is 21% more expensive than Denver overall. Seattle (WA) has no state income tax; CO tops out around 4.4%.
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 Denver and Seattle reveals a noticeable difference in overall cost of living, with Seattle being significantly more expensive. This gap is primarily driven by housing expenses, which are substantially higher in Seattle for both homeownership and renting. While other categories like transportation, food, and miscellaneous goods also show Seattle as pricier, the housing market creates the largest disparity in household budgets between these two metropolitan areas.
Housing
Housing costs present a major contrast. Median home prices in Seattle are considerably higher than in Denver, and a similar trend is seen in median rents for a one-bedroom apartment. Denver's housing stock often includes more single-family homes with yards, while Seattle's dense urban core features many multi-family units. Beyond the mortgage or rent, property taxes and insurance costs can also vary, impacting the total cost of homeownership in each city.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for food, transportation, and healthcare are all somewhat higher in Seattle compared to Denver. Utilities, however, are a bit more expensive in Seattle, while Denver's utility costs are actually below the national average. A significant financial difference is state income tax; Washington has no state income tax, which can offset some higher daily costs, whereas Colorado has a flat state income tax rate.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, these cities offer distinct lifestyles. Denver, nestled against the Rocky Mountains, boasts a drier, sunnier climate with clear seasonal changes and easy access to outdoor recreation. Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest, is known for its milder, wetter climate, abundant rainfall, and lush green landscapes. Both cities have robust public transit options, but Seattle's urban density and water features can influence commute times and the general pace of life.
Bottom line
Moving between Denver and Seattle means preparing for a substantial shift in your household budget, predominantly due to housing. While Seattle benefits from no state income tax, this advantage is largely overshadowed by its significantly higher housing costs and elevated expenses across most other categories. A move to Seattle generally implies a higher overall cost of living, requiring a larger income to maintain a similar standard of living compared to Denver.
| Measure | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 128 | 155 |
| Housing index | 146 | 192 |
| Transportation index | 104 | 123 |
| Food index | 105 | 112 |
| Healthcare index | 108 | 112 |
| Utilities index | 98 | 105 |
| Misc index | 108 | 118 |
| Median home price | $548,000 | $748,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,950/mo | $2,350/mo |
| Average commute | 28 min | 33 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific Seattle home with the True Cost Calculator.