Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
8% cheaper
Denver is 8% more affordable than Riverside. A $75,000 salary in Riverside is equivalent to $69,141 in Denver.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Riverside sits at 155 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $500,000 in Riverside, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,800 in Riverside.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Riverside scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Riverside (102). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $67,068 in Riverside. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Denver.
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