Denver vs Boston: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Denver, CO and Boston, MA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 710,800 | 665,945 |
| Median household income | $85,853 | $89,212 |
| Median home value | $540,400 | $684,900 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,665 | $1,981 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Denver, CO and Boston, MA comes down to what you value most. Denver has the lower median home value, and Denver has the lower median rent.
Boston has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Denver or Boston?
- By median home value, Denver is the cheaper of the two ($540,400 vs $684,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Denver or Boston?
- Median household income is $85,853 in Denver versus $89,212 in Boston, per the US Census Bureau.