The numbers, side by side
| Metric | San Francisco | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 191 | 129 | -62 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $3,400 | $1,850 | -$1,550 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $4,400 | $2,400 | -$2,000 |
| Median household income | $92,345 | $69,452 | -$22,893 |
| Population | 815,201 | 727,211 | -87,990 |
What salary you'd need in Denver
To maintain your San Francisco purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Denver.
San Francisco vs Denver: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 191 runs roughly 32.5% higher than Denver's 129. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco averages $3,400/month, vs $1,850/month in Denver — a -$1,550 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$2,000/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $18,600 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in San Francisco is $92,345, while Denver runs $69,452 (-$22,893 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
San Francisco is in California and Denver is in Colorado, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.