Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
20% cheaper
Rochester is 20% more affordable than Denver. A $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to $59,746 in Rochester.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Colorado salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Denver has a housing index of 152 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Denver costs $520,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $365,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,900 in Denver versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Denver scores 102 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Denver (104) are higher than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Denver is $72,661 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Rochester.
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