Moving from Sacramento to Denver (2026)

Denver has a COL index of 122 vs 127 for Sacramento (100 = US average). You'd pay about 4% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$306/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
127 โ†’ 122
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$2,000 โ†’ $2,000
per month
State tax
9.3% โ†’ 4.4%
income tax
COL difference
127 โ†’ 122
4% cheaper

Salary needed in Denver to match your Sacramento lifestyle

Based on the 4% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in SacramentoEquivalent in Denver
$40K$38,425
$50K$48,031
$60K$57,638
$75K$72,047
$80K$76,850
$100K$96,063
$120K$115,276
$150K$144,094

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$11/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Sacramento vs Denver

ExpenseSacramentoDenver
Monthly take-home$4,159$4,466
1BR rent$2,000$2,000
Groceries$403$388
Transport$100$114
Utilities$150$140
Internet$65$65
Left after essentials$1,441$1,759

Frequently asked questions

Is Denver cheaper than Sacramento?

Yes. Denver has a cost of living index of 122 vs 127 for Sacramento (100 = US average). That's about 4% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Sacramento to Denver?

On a $75K salary, moving from Sacramento to Denver saves roughly $306/month on core expenses. That's ~$3,672/year.

What salary do I need in Denver to match my Sacramento lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Sacramento, you'd need roughly $72,047/year in Denver. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only