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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Garden City, KS โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Wichita, KS area

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Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $3.3K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $189.2K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 43.5%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$3,266
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$39.2K
Per year

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

Garden City, KS

Population:27K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$229K

Denver, CO

Population:716K
Cost Index:144
Median Home:$513K

Garden City, KS

The Sunflower State

27K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 27K residents.

Denver, CO

The Centennial State

716K
Population
State Tax
Yes
Climate
Semi-arid

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขMile-high city (5,280 ft)
  • โ€ขOutdoor recreation hub
  • โ€ขMajor cannabis market

Major Industries

AerospaceTechnologyEnergyTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Garden City, KS vs Denver, CO

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 119.5%
Garden City, KS
$1,480
Denver, CO
$3,248
Difference
$1,769
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 36.5%
Garden City, KS
$1,071
Denver, CO
$1,462
Difference
$390
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 21.4%
Garden City, KS
$1,462
Denver, CO
$1,774
Difference
$313
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 22.6%
Garden City, KS
$840
Denver, CO
$1,029
Difference
$190
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 15.0%
Garden City, KS
$550
Denver, CO
$632
Difference
$82.20
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 2.7%
Garden City, KS
$505
Denver, CO
$519
Difference
$13.61
more

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

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

Garden City, KS has no local income tax.

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

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$598
To$1,720
โ†‘ $1,122
1 Bed
From$598
To$1,840
โ†‘ $1,242
2 Bed
From$788
To$2,190
โ†‘ $1,402
3 Bed
From$1,083
To$2,870
โ†‘ $1,787
Garden City, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $790โ€“$790/mo

Denver, COZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,620โ€“$2,540/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$5,908
Monthly in Garden City, KS
$8,665
Monthly in Denver, CO
$2,757
Difference

Home Values

Garden City
Denver
$229K
Median Value
$513K
โ†‘ +1.1%
YoY Change
โ†“ -4.2%
โ†‘ +27.4%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +13%
$229K
Price Range
$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 124% more expensive than Garden City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $1.8K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$152
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
1.2%
Rate difference

Garden City, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

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

Garden City, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

Denver, CO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.8%
Property Tax:0.5%

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

Environment

Garden City
Denver
43 Good
Air Quality
55 Moderate
75.1%
Good Air Days
35.2%
97 High
Climate Risk
95 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.3ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
28 days
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.3ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
28 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Kansas and Colorado on TaxTakeHome.com

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