Is Denver, CO cheaper than Albany, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 14.6% more expensive than Albany, NY. This translates to spending an extra $1099 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Albany, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Albany, NY, you'd need approximately $163,184.656 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Albany, NY and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 79.7% more expensive than in Albany, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,276/month in Albany, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Albany, NY to Denver, CO?

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1099 more per month than Albany, NY, or $13185 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Albany, NY vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Albany, NY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Albany, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.2K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY area

Overall Cost

↑ 14.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,099

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.2K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Albany, NY

Population:101K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$248K

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:115

Median Home:$513K

Albany, NY

The Empire State

101K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 101K residents.

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Semi-arid

Notable Facts

•Mile-high city (5,280 ft)
•Outdoor recreation hub
•Major cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Albany, NY vs Denver, CO

Category	Albany, NY	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,808/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,441more	79.7%
⚡All Utilities	$561/mo	$519/mo	↓ $42.27less	7.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,420/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $41.80more	2.9%
📦Other	$1,799/mo	$1,774/mo	↓ $25.00less	1.4%
🏥Healthcare	$648/mo	$632/mo	↓ $16.24less	2.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,036/mo	$1,029/mo	↓ $6.79less	0.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 79.7%

Albany, NY

$1,808

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,441

⚡All Utilities

↓ 7.5%

Albany, NY

$561

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$42.27

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.9%

Albany, NY

$1,420

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$41.80

📦Other

↓ 1.4%

Albany, NY

$1,799

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$25.00

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 2.5%

Albany, NY

$648

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$16.24

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.7%

Albany, NY

$1,036

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$6.79

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Denver, CO: Denver Head Tax ($5.75/mo, negligible)$69.00/yr (0.0%)

Albany, NY has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$914

To$1,720

↑ $806

1 Bed

From$1,065

To$1,840

↑ $775

2 Bed

From$1,276

To$2,190

↑ $914

3 Bed

From$1,533

To$2,870

↑ $1,337

Albany, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,180–$1,640/mo

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,273

Monthly in Albany, NY

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,392

Difference

Home Values

Albany

Denver

$248K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +3.8%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +38.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$168K - $329K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 107% more expensive than Albany

Calculate payment - Albany Calculate payment - Denver

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$245

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.0%

Rate difference

Albany, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Denver, CO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Colorado State Tax

Effective: 4.4%

$6.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.1%

$43.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,866/month

$106.4K

Additional Tax Information

Albany, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.