Cost of Living in Denver (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Denver? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, central DenverUSD 1,600–2,200 / month

One-bed apartment, suburbs or AuroraUSD 1,300–1,700 / month

RTD monthly passUSD 88 / month, including the A Line to the airport

Groceries, one personUSD 380–520 / month

Ski season pass, bought earlyUSD 800–1,100 for the season — buy in spring for the following winter

Good to know

Population

≈715,000 in the city and county; ≈3 million across the Denver metro

Languages

English; Spanish is widely spoken across the metro

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Time zone

MST (GMT-7); MDT (GMT-6) from mid-March to early November

Power plug

Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz

Climate

Semi-arid continental — 300 days of sun, cold snowy winters, hot dry summers, and violent spring snowstorms

Driving side

Right

Altitude

1,609 m (5,280 ft) — expect a fortnight of adjustment and 25% stronger UV

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Denver checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.