Is Denver, CO cheaper than Rochester, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 14.3% more expensive than Rochester, NY. This translates to spending an extra $1071 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Rochester, NY, you'd need approximately $162,852.494 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Denver, CO is 54.1% more expensive than in Rochester, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,633/month in Rochester, NY.

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

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1071 more per month than Rochester, NY, or $12852 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rochester, NY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

Current salary in Rochester, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.9K in Denver, CO

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

Overall Cost

↑ 14.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,071

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.9K

Per year

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

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$198K

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$513K

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K 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: Rochester, NY vs Denver, CO

Category	Rochester, NY	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,108/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,140more	54.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,315/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $147more	11.2%
⚡All Utilities	$631/mo	$519/mo	↓ $112less	17.7%
🏥Healthcare	$548/mo	$632/mo	↑ $84.28more	15.4%
📦Other	$1,738/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $36.41more	2.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,029/mo	↑ $0.44more	0.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 54.1%

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,140

🚗Transportation

↑ 11.2%

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$147

⚡All Utilities

↓ 17.7%

Rochester, NY

$631

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$112

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 15.4%

Rochester, NY

$548

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$84.28

📦Other

↑ 2.1%

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$36.41

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.0%

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$0.44

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Rochester, 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$1,157

To$1,720

↑ $563

1 Bed

From$1,309

To$1,840

↑ $531

2 Bed

From$1,633

To$2,190

↑ $557

3 Bed

From$1,968

To$2,870

↑ $902

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/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.

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,297

Difference

Home Values

Rochester

Denver

$198K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$90K - $334K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 159% more expensive than Rochester

Calculate payment - Rochester 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

Rochester, 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

Rochester, 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.