Can I Afford to Live in Denver vs New York on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Denver, CO
$4,763/mo take-home
Rent: $2,000/mo (42% of take-home)
Tight
New York, NY
$4,597/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (76% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Denver
CO
New York
NY
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,763Best ✓
$4,597
1BR rent
$2,000Best ✓
$3,500
Groceries (est.)
$388Best ✓
$437
Transport (est.)
$114Best ✓
$132
Utilities
$140Best ✓
$180
Internet
$65Best ✓
$75
Left after essentials
$2,056/month
$273/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Denver?

At $80K/year in Denver, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,763. With 1BR rent around $2,000/month, rent takes up 42% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $80K a good salary in New York?

At $80K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,597. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 76% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Denver leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,056/month vs $273/month in New York.

Can I afford to live alone in Denver on $80K?

It's tight. Rent in Denver would take 42% of your $80K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Denver vs New York

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only