How Denver compares

Where Denver falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Map of Denver

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)	105.8	metro-area	#174 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)	101.6	metro-area	#163 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)	$6.02	metro-area	#174 of 200
Median household income	$96,920	metro-area	#14 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)	$52,179	metro-area	#7 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median age	37.2 years	metro-area	#62 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)	48.4%	metro-area	#13 of 200
Foreign-born residents	12.1%	metro-area	#58 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied	64.3%	metro-area	#124 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Unemployment rate	4.26%	metro-area	#37 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)	+5.7%	metro-area	#66 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median home price	$573,221	metro-area	#179 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)	5.9×	metro-area	#155 of 200
1-yr home appreciation	-2.9%	metro-area	#188 of 200
Price per square foot	$302	metro-area	#174 of 200
Typical home size (implied)	1,900 sqft
Median rent (monthly)	$1,910	metro-area	#147 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)	14,158
Median days on market	14	metro-area	#76 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)	9.7%	state	#73 of 200
Combined sales tax	7.77%	state	#108 of 200
State income tax (top rate)	4.40%
Capital gains tax	4.40%	state	#97 of 200
High earners	No special surtax
Social Security in retirement	Taxed — taxes Social Security benefits, but income thresholds and age rules exempt many retirees — check the state's own limits before assuming you would owe
Effective property tax rate	0.52%	metro-area	#22 of 200
Median property tax paid	$2,708	metro-area	#102 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Life expectancy at birth	78.8 years	metro-area	#38 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)	$6,800	state	#93 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)	8.2%	metro-area	#97 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k	88	metro-area	#43 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)	$16,000	state	#150 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Annual registration	$400	state	#193 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)	1.79% of value (~$501/yr)	state	#168 of 200
Emissions testing	Required
Emissions detail	Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices	5
Avg commute to work	28 min	metro-area	#166 of 200
Commute by driving alone	65.2%	metro-area	#18 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min	41.7%	metro-area	#170 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Electricity	16.5¢/kWh	state	#83 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill	$149	state	#83 of 200
Gasoline	$3.30/gal	state	#94 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)	$65	state	#89 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)	$120	state	#127 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)	$87	state	#185 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Home insurance (annual)	$2,800	state	#149 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)	$2,000	state	#116 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Main natural hazards	Notable hazards: wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)	90.6 — Relatively Moderate	metro-area	#110 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)	$550	state	#7 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)	$100	state	#1 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)	64	metro-area	#191 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)	700	metro-area	#25 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)	82%	state	#161 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)	5,500	metro-area	#133 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F	31	metro-area	#101 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F	1	metro-area	#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)	88°F	metro-area	#98 of 200
Avg winter low	18°F	metro-area	#159 of 200
Annual precipitation	15.4"	metro-area	#23 of 200
Annual snowfall	49.0"	metro-area	#170 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)	69%	metro-area	#29 of 200
Plant hardiness zone	5b
Frost window	05-10 → 10-10

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)	490	state	#153 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)	2,900	state	#173 of 200

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Grocery stores	45	metro-area	#118 of 200
Parks	45
Hiking areas	27
Golf courses	27
Shooting ranges	3
Lakes	5

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)	3	state	#87 of 200
Permit detail	Moderate

Major public and private employers in the Denver, CO area.

Employer	Sector	Jobs
Denver International Airport	transportation	Search →
CommonSpirit Health	Healthcare	Search →
Denver Public Schools	Education	Search →
Lockheed Martin	Aerospace/Defense	Careers →
Charles Schwab	Finance	Careers →
Xcel Energy	Energy	Careers →

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

Occupation	Median pay
Lawyers	$180,910
Financial Managers	$171,110
Marketing Managers	$170,110
Human Resources Managers	$153,260
Pharmacists	$147,610
Software Developers	$134,990
General & Operations Managers	$133,220
Physician Assistants	$128,790
Dentists	$127,800
Data Scientists	$111,750
Construction Managers	$109,710
Dental Hygienists	$104,900
Mechanical Engineers	$104,390
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$100,790
Civil Engineers	$99,450
Physical Therapists	$99,290
Accountants & Auditors	$88,770
Registered Nurses	$87,330
Graphic Designers	$65,520
Elementary School Teachers	$64,170
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters	$64,030
Electricians	$61,360
Web Developers	$59,990
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$59,740
Carpenters	$59,570
Welders, Cutters & Solderers	$56,130
Medical Assistants	$46,370