Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Denver, CO?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 79.1% more expensive than Denver, CO. This translates to spending an extra $5932 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Denver, CO?

If you earn $150,000 in Denver, CO, you'd need approximately $221,181.818 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Denver, CO and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 200.8% more expensive than in Denver, CO. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $2,190/month in Denver, CO.

How much can I save per month by moving from Denver, CO to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $5932 more per month than Denver, CO, or $71182 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Denver, CO

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Denver, CO

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $5.9K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $221.2K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO area

Overall Cost

↑ 79.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$5,932

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$71.2K

Per year

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

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$513K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:179

Median Home:$1.25M

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

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Denver, CO vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Denver, CO	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,248/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $6,523more	200.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,462/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $697more	47.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $130more	12.6%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $100more	5.7%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$706/mo	↑ $74.35more	11.8%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$448/mo	↓ $71.03less	13.7%

🏠Housing

↑ 200.8%

Denver, CO

$3,248

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$6,523

🚗Transportation

↑ 47.7%

Denver, CO

$1,462

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$697

🛒Groceries

↑ 12.6%

Denver, CO

$1,029

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$130

📦Other

↑ 5.7%

Denver, CO

$1,774

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$100

🏥Healthcare

↑ 11.8%

Denver, CO

$632

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$74.35

⚡All Utilities

↓ 13.7%

Denver, CO

$519

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$71.03

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

San Francisco, CA 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$1,720

To$2,460

↑ $740

1 Bed

From$1,840

To$2,950

↑ $1,110

2 Bed

From$2,190

To$3,570

↑ $1,380

3 Bed

From$2,870

To$4,560

↑ $1,690

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620–$2,540/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/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.

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$7,453

Difference

Home Values

Denver

San Francisco

$513K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -4.2%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +13%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$352K - $933K

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 143% more expensive than Denver

Calculate payment - Denver Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $4.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$336

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

Rate difference

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

San Francisco, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%

Property Tax:0.5%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 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.