Los Angeles, CA vs Denver, CO
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Denver comes out ahead on the two metrics that matter most for relocation math: housing runs 33% cheaper than Los Angeles, and median household income runs 12% higher. That combination is uncommon — usually one trades off the other. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Denver — a top rate of 4.4% versus 13.3% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$879,500
$586,700 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$530,920
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo
$1,770/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
49.1%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
27.6x
Median Household Income
$80,366
$91,681 ✓
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$61,202
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.6% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
11.2%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
27.5 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
57.7%
Public Transit %
6.7%
4.5%
Work From Home %
17.3%
24.4%
State Income Tax
13.3%
4.4%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
7.8% ✓
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
0.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
33.8%
Median Age
36.9
35.2
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
66.2°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
15.4"
Annual Snowfall
—
49"
Los Angeles, CA 0 wins
Denver, CO 5 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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