Is Denver, CO cheaper than Foster City, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 29.3% cheaper than Foster City, CA. This translates to saving $2199 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Foster City, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Foster City, CA, you'd need approximately $123,614.93 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Foster City, CA and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 44.2% cheaper than in Foster City, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $4,017/month in Foster City, CA.

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

Moving from Foster City, CA to Denver, CO could save you approximately $2199 per month, or $26385 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Foster City, CA vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Foster City, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in Foster City, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.2K/month moving to Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $123.6K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 29.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,199

Savings

Annual Impact

$26.4K

Per year

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

Foster City, CA

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.68M

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:71

Median Home:$513K

Foster City, CA

The Golden State

32K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 32K 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: Foster City, CA vs Denver, CO

Category	Foster City, CA	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,824/mo	$3,248/mo	↓ $2,575less	44.2%
🚗Transportation	$2,036/mo	$1,462/mo	↓ $574less	28.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,126/mo	$1,029/mo	↓ $96.49less	8.6%
⚡All Utilities	$435/mo	$519/mo	↑ $83.95more	19.3%
🏥Healthcare	$686/mo	$632/mo	↓ $53.99less	7.9%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $6.10more	0.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 44.2%

Foster City, CA

$5,824

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$2,575

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 28.2%

Foster City, CA

$2,036

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$574

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 8.6%

Foster City, CA

$1,126

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$96.49

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.3%

Foster City, CA

$435

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$83.95

🏥Healthcare

↓ 7.9%

Foster City, CA

$686

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$53.99

less

📦Other

↑ 0.3%

Foster City, CA

$1,768

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$6.10

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Foster City, 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$2,766

To$1,720

↓ $1,046

1 Bed

From$3,319

To$1,840

↓ $1,479

2 Bed

From$4,017

To$2,190

↓ $1,827

3 Bed

From$5,131

To$2,870

↓ $2,261

Foster City, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $4,140–$4,140/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.

$11,874

Monthly in Foster City, CA

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$3,210

Difference

Home Values

Foster City

Denver

$1.68M

Median Value

$513K

↓ -1.6%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +13.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$1.68M

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 69% less expensive than Foster City

Calculate payment - Foster City Calculate payment - Denver

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.0K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$336

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.7%

Rate difference

Foster City, 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

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

Foster City, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.