Cost of Living Comparison Between Phoenix, AZ and Denver, CO 

Indices DifferenceInfo
Cost of Living in Denver, CO is 4.0% higher than in Phoenix, AZ (excluding rent)
Cost of Living Including Rent in Denver, CO is 6.9% higher than in Phoenix, AZ
Rent Prices in Denver, CO are 13.4% higher than in Phoenix, AZ
Restaurant Prices in Denver, CO are 0.5% higher than in Phoenix, AZ
Groceries Prices in Denver, CO are 6.6% higher than in Phoenix, AZ
Local Purchasing Power in Denver, CO is 2.3% lower than in Phoenix, AZ
Currency: Sticky Currency      Switch to metric measurement units
Restaurants
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit Difference
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $20.00 $20.00      0.0 %
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $90.00 $95.00      +5.6 %
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $12.49 $12.00      -3.9 %
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) $6.00 $7.25      +20.8 %
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $8.00 $8.50      +6.2 %
Cappuccino (Regular Size) $6.22 $5.67      -8.9 %
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) $3.04 $2.99      -1.5 %
Bottled Water (12 oz) $2.37 $2.25      -5.3 %
Markets
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $0.88 $1.08      +22.3 %
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) $4.13 $4.30      +4.0 %
White Rice (1 lb) $2.70 $3.21      +19.3 %
Eggs (12, Large Size) $5.31 $5.34      +0.5 %
Local Cheese (1 lb) $6.45 $7.08      +9.8 %
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) $6.06 $7.40      +22.1 %
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) $6.66 $8.50      +27.6 %
Apples (1 lb) $2.59 $2.22      -14.2 %
Bananas (1 lb) $0.89 $0.91      +1.4 %
Oranges (1 lb) $2.04 $2.43      +19.3 %
Tomatoes (1 lb) $3.00 $2.44      -18.7 %
Potatoes (1 lb) $1.51 $1.26      -16.7 %
Onions (1 lb) $1.50 $1.28      -14.5 %
Lettuce (1 Head) $2.29 $2.18      -4.8 %
Bottled Water (50 oz) $2.39 $2.40      +0.3 %
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $15.00 $20.00      +33.3 %
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) $2.33 $2.70      +15.7 %
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) $3.28 $3.61      +10.1 %
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $10.69 $10.71      +0.2 %
Transportation
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $2.00 $2.75      +37.5 %
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $64.00 $88.00      +37.5 %
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $2.75 $3.50      +27.3 %
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) $2.22 $2.82      +26.8 %
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $36.00 $30.00      -16.7 %
Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.01 $0.94      -6.8 %
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $36,293.00 $35,405.00      -2.4 %
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $25,843.41 $25,246.02      -2.3 %
Utilities (Monthly)
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $262.96 $157.57      -40.1 %
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $70.36 $76.25      +8.4 %
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $80.56 $70.29      -12.7 %
Sports And Leisure
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership $60.42 $74.92      +24.0 %
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $19.17 $25.00      +30.4 %
Cinema Ticket (International Release) $13.50 $15.00      +11.1 %
Childcare
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $1,748.40 $2,257.27      +29.1 %
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $24,512.50 $33,863.25      +38.1 %
Clothing And Shoes
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $62.45 $70.44      +12.8 %
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $47.95 $45.92      -4.2 %
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $109.73 $107.96      -1.6 %
Men's Leather Business Shoes $120.77 $137.01      +13.4 %
Rent Per Month
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,790.00 $2,079.67      +16.2 %
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $1,422.67 $1,697.50      +19.3 %
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $3,146.15 $3,292.73      +4.7 %
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $2,242.62 $2,687.31      +19.8 %
Buy Apartment Price
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre $437.44 $526.53      +20.4 %
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $291.11 $346.05      +18.9 %
Salaries And Financing
Phoenix, AZ Edit Denver, CO Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $4,128.47 $4,312.84      +4.5 %
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 6.38 6.84      +7.2 %
Last update: 15 May 202615 May 2026
Contributors in the past 12 months:85110