Is Denver, CO cheaper than Wilmington, DE?

Based on cost of living data, Denver, CO is 16.5% more expensive than Wilmington, DE. This translates to spending an extra $1240 per month.

What salary do I need in Denver, CO to live like I do in Wilmington, DE?

If you earn $150,000 in Wilmington, DE, you'd need approximately $164,875.869 in Denver, CO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Wilmington, DE and Denver, CO?

Housing in Denver, CO is 67.3% more expensive than in Wilmington, DE. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,190/month in Denver, CO compared to $1,273/month in Wilmington, DE.

How much can I save per month by moving from Wilmington, DE to Denver, CO?

Living in Denver, CO costs approximately $1240 more per month than Wilmington, DE, or $14876 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Wilmington, DE vs Denver, CO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Wilmington, DE — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Wilmington, DE

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Denver, CO

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.9K in Denver, CO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 16.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,240

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.9K

Per year

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

Wilmington, DE

Population:72K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$205K

Denver, CO

Population:716K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$513K

Wilmington, DE

The First State

72K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Delaware, this city has a population of 72K 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: Wilmington, DE vs Denver, CO

Category	Wilmington, DE	Denver, CO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,942/mo	$3,248/mo	↑ $1,307more	67.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,325/mo	$1,462/mo	↑ $136more	10.3%
📦Other	$1,655/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $119more	7.2%
⚡All Utilities	$586/mo	$519/mo	↓ $66.69less	11.4%
🏥Healthcare	$586/mo	$632/mo	↑ $45.55more	7.8%
🛒Groceries	$1,066/mo	$1,029/mo	↓ $37.19less	3.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 67.3%

Wilmington, DE

$1,942

Denver, CO

$3,248

Difference

$1,307

🚗Transportation

↑ 10.3%

Wilmington, DE

$1,325

Denver, CO

$1,462

Difference

$136

📦Other

↑ 7.2%

Wilmington, DE

$1,655

Denver, CO

$1,774

Difference

$119

⚡All Utilities

↓ 11.4%

Wilmington, DE

$586

Denver, CO

$519

Difference

$66.69

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 7.8%

Wilmington, DE

$586

Denver, CO

$632

Difference

$45.55

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.5%

Wilmington, DE

$1,066

Denver, CO

$1,029

Difference

$37.19

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Wilmington, DE: Wilmington Earned Income Tax$1,875/yr (1.3%)

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

Net difference-$1,806/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$979

To$1,720

↑ $741

1 Bed

From$1,066

To$1,840

↑ $774

2 Bed

From$1,273

To$2,190

↑ $917

3 Bed

From$1,526

To$2,870

↑ $1,344

Wilmington, DEZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$1,460/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.

$7,161

Monthly in Wilmington, DE

$8,665

Monthly in Denver, CO

$1,504

Difference

Home Values

Wilmington

Denver

$205K

Median Value

$513K

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -4.2%

↑ +38.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +13%

$175K - $340K

Price Range

$352K - $933K

Homes in Denver are 150% more expensive than Wilmington

Calculate payment - Wilmington Calculate payment - Denver

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$190

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.5%

Rate difference

Wilmington, DE

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Delaware State Tax

Effective: 5.9%

$8.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.6%

$45.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,675/month

$104.1K

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

Wilmington, DE Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%

Property Tax:0.6%

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.