Cost of Living · Updated June 2026
Chicago vs Denver Cost of Living Comparison
Denver is about 10% cheaper than Chicago overall in 2026. A single professional spends about $3,322 per month in Chicago and $2,978 in Denver, all-in with centre rent – and to match the lifestyle a $100,000 salary buys in Chicago, you would need roughly $97,100 in Denver.
The biggest lever is housing: a one-bedroom in the centre runs $2,300 in Chicago versus $1,950 in Denver (-15%). Day-to-day costs differ less – groceries ($480 vs $470), utilities ($150 vs $160), and a transit pass ($75 vs $88) – which is why flat CPI comparisons mislead people who rent in the centre.
Cost of living calculator
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Composite 2026 index incl. centre rent (NYC = 100). Salary figures are gross – taxes not included; pair with the salary after tax calculator.
Key insights
Key insights
- $100,000 in Chicago ≈ $97,100 in Denver on the 2026 composite index.
- Centre rent gap: $2,300 vs $1,950 for a one-bedroom (-15% in Denver).
- All-in single budgets: $3,322/month in Chicago vs $2,978/month in Denver.
- Family of four: $6,461 vs $5,663 per month.
- Local purchasing power favours Denver when you earn the local average salary.
| Expense | Chicago | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent – 1-bed, city centre | $2,300 | $1,950 | -15% |
| Rent – 1-bed, outside centre | $1,800 | $1,600 | -11% |
| Rent – 3-bed, city centre | $4,200 | $3,400 | -19% |
| Groceries (single person) | $480 | $470 | -2% |
| Utilities + internet | $150 | $160 | +7% |
| Public transport pass | $75 | $88 | +17% |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $23 | $22 | -4% |
| All-in single person budget | $3,322 | $2,978 | -10% |
| All-in family of 4 budget | $6,461 | $5,663 | -12% |
How the Chicago → Denver salary equivalence works
MovingCal scores every city on a composite 2026 cost index that includes rent (New York = 100). Chicago scores 68; Denver scores 66. Equivalent salary is your current salary multiplied by 66/68 – so $100,000 in Chicago ≈ $97,100 in Denver.
Index math is a starting point, not a verdict. Two corrections matter: taxes (gross pay buys different net pay – check the salary after tax calculator for both locations) and housing choice (renting outside the centre cuts the gap to $200/month between these two cities).
Affordability analysis: who comes out ahead?
Measured against local average net salaries ($5,800/month in Chicago, $5,800/month in Denver), a single person's budget consumes 57% of typical take-home pay in Chicago and 51% in Denver. Denver is the easier city to save in on a local salary.
Buying instead of renting changes the picture: property runs $5,400/m² in Chicago versus $5,900/m² in Denver, with typical 2026 mortgage rates of 6.3% and 6.3% respectively. See the rent vs buy pages for both cities before assuming ownership is cheaper.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Denver cheaper than Chicago in 2026?
Denver is about 10% cheaper than Chicago overall. A single person needs about $3,322 per month in Chicago versus $2,978 in Denver, including rent in the city centre.
What salary in Denver equals $100,000 in Chicago?
Based on the 2026 composite cost index (including rent), you would need roughly $97,100 in Denver to keep the purchasing power of a $100,000 salary in Chicago. Taxes differ too, so run the salary-after-tax calculator for the net picture.
How much higher is rent in Chicago?
A one-bedroom in the centre averages $2,300 in Chicago and $1,950 in Denver – a gap of 18%. Housing is usually the single biggest driver of the total difference.
How much does a family of 4 need in Chicago vs Denver?
Plan on about $6,461 per month in Chicago and $5,663 in Denver for a family of four renting a three-bedroom in the centre, including groceries, utilities, transport, and a lifestyle margin.
How is this comparison calculated?
MovingCal combines 2026 rent, grocery, utility, transport, and dining estimates into a composite index (New York = 100). Chicago scores 68 and Denver scores 66. Equivalent salary = your salary × (66 ÷ 68).
More on Chicago
More on Denver
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