Question 1

Is Boston or Denver cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Denver, CO is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $717/month less than in Boston, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $2,941/mo in Boston versus $2,089/mo in Denver.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Boston vs Denver?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $101,500/year before tax in Boston, MA and $84,500/year in Denver, CO — a difference of about $17,000. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Boston or Denver cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Denver, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $12,728/month in Boston and $11,167/month in Denver, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Boston or Denver?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Denver costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Boston58	Denver54
Est. monthly cost (single)	$5,216	$4,499
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$12,728	$11,167
Salary for comfort	$101,500/yr	$84,500/yr
Typical rent	$2,941	$2,089
Median home value	$710,400	$586,700
Median household income	$94,755	$91,681
Unemployment	4.2%	4.1%
Housing score	8	30
Jobs score	50	44
Safety score	86	35
Climate score	85	74
Amenities score	70	64
Population	664K	713.7K
Summer high / winter low	81° / 22°	88° / 17°

Boston, MA vs Denver, CO