Denver vs Salt Lake City: Cost of Living & Housing Comparison
Denver's homes carry a median value of $540,400, which is 18% higher than the $458,600 median value in Salt Lake City.
Income differs between the two: $85,853 at the median in Denver, $72,357 in Salt Lake City.
On median rent, Denver runs $1,665 while Salt Lake City runs $1,254.
On climate risk, the two cities are evenly matched — both rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
| Metric | Denver, CO | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 710,800 | 201,269 |
| Median home value | $540,400 | $458,600 |
| Median household income | $85,853 | $72,357 |
| Median gross rent | $1,665 | $1,254 |
| Climate risk (FEMA) | Relatively High | Relatively High |
Both home values and rent run lower in Salt Lake City, UT than in Denver, CO, making it the more affordable of the two on housing alone.
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Sources: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey; FEMA National Risk Index
Data last updated July 2026.