Is Denver, CO cheaper than Erie, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 19.4% more expensive than Erie, PA. This translates to spending an extra $1456 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Erie, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Erie, PA, you'd need approximately $167,467.085 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Erie, PA and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 73.9% more expensive than in Erie, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,427/month in Erie, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Erie, PA to Denver, CO?

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1456 more per month than Erie, PA, or $17467 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Erie, PA vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Erie, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Cleveland, OH area

Current salary in Erie, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.5K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $167.5K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 19.4%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,456

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$17.5K

Per year

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

Erie, PA

Population:93K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$150K

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:119

Median Home:$513K

Erie, PA

The Keystone State

93K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 93K 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: Erie, PA vs Denver, CO

Category	Erie, PA	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,868/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,380more	73.9%
🏥Healthcare	$558/mo	$632/mo	↑ $73.77more	13.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,535/mo	$1,462/mo	↓ $72.98less	4.8%
⚡All Utilities	$492/mo	$519/mo	↑ $26.81more	5.4%
📦Other	$1,749/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $25.46more	1.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,027/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $1.88more	0.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 73.9%

Erie, PA

$1,868

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,380

🏥Healthcare

↑ 13.2%

Erie, PA

$558

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$73.77

🚗Transportation

↓ 4.8%

Erie, PA

$1,535

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$72.98

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 5.4%

Erie, PA

$492

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$26.81

📦Other

↑ 1.5%

Erie, PA

$1,749

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$25.46

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.2%

Erie, PA

$1,027

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$1.88

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Erie, PA: Erie Earned Income Tax$4,350/yr (2.9%)

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

Net difference-$4,281/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$989

To$1,720

↑ $731

1 Bed

From$1,112

To$1,840

↑ $728

2 Bed

From$1,427

To$2,190

↑ $763

3 Bed

From$1,764

To$2,870

↑ $1,106

Erie, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $870–$1,200/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.

$7,230

Monthly in Erie, PA

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,435

Difference

Home Values

Erie

Denver

$150K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +4.5%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +49.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$65K - $276K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 241% more expensive than Erie

Calculate payment - Erie Calculate payment - Denver

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$166

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.3%

Rate difference

Erie, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Erie, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.