Denver’s Cost of Comfort: $130k Needed Just to Get By

By Brooke Williams | Fox31

DENVER (KDVR) — Two Colorado cities are among the most expensive big cities in the U.S. to live comfortably in, a recent study found.

Finance website GOBankingRates analyzed the country’s 50 largest cities to determine how much it would cost to live in each comfortably based on data points like home values, incomes and cost of living.4 Colorado towns listed among best small cities in US: Report

The study calculated the income for necessities and applied the 50/30/20 budget rule, doubling the cost of necessities for a lifestyle that can include saving and discretionary spending.

The Mile High City ranked as the No. 12 most expensive large city to live comfortably in. Meanwhile down south, Colorado Springs ranked at No. 20

12. Denver

• Total population (2024): 729,019
• Average single family home value: $589,059
• Salary needed for necessities: $64,764
• Salary needed for comfortable living: $129,528

Denver was comparable to cities like Miami, Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas.

20. Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Total population (2024): 493,540
• Average single family home value: $463,169
• Salary needed for necessities: $54,231
• Salary needed for comfortable living: $108,462

The top 26 cities on the list require salaries of over six figures in order to life comfortably, according to the report.

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