Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Denver

Colorado
147

San Francisco is 120% more expensive than Denver.

$2,419/mo ↑ 37%
Median Rent
$1,770/mo ↓ 27%
$141,446/yr ↑ 54%
Median Income
$91,681/yr ↓ 35%
$1,380,500 ↑ 135%
Home Value
$586,700 ↓ 58%
$2,620/mo ↑ 42%
Owner Costs
$1,839/mo ↓ 30%
836,321
Population
713,734

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.4%
7.25%
Sales Tax
2.9%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.51%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Denver, CO, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 147 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $649/month cheaper in Denver, saving renters about $7,788/year.

Median household income is $49,765/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $586,700 in Denver.

Colorado has a lower income tax rate, making Denver slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Denver — common questions

Is San Francisco or Denver cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denver is cheaper to live in with an index of 147 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Denver?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Denver it's $1,770/month — a difference of $649/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Denver?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $91,681 in Denver. Median household income is $49,765/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Colorado?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Colorado has 4.4% income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Denver?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Denver has a cost index of 147 with rent of $1,770/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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