You might not know that a single adult in Denver typically spends about $5,254 per month, with housing alone driving most of that cost. You’ll want clear line-item numbers for rent, groceries, utilities, healthcare and transportation to plan effectively. I’ll show where money goes, which neighborhoods ease the burden, and practical ways to trim monthly expenses so you can decide whether Denver fits your budget—starting with the biggest monthly surprise.

Denver Cost of Living Snapshot

Though Denver offers a high quality of life, you should expect higher expenses: overall living costs run about 10.3% above the national average, driven largely by housing and transportation.

Though Denver offers great quality of life, expect about 10% higher living costs, largely from housing and transit.

When you look at average monthly cost breakdowns, rent in Denver is a primary factor — average monthly rent sits around $1,926, with one-bedroom units averaging $1,494. Housing costs account for roughly 36.7% of a typical yearly budget, so they dominate your monthly expenses.

Utilities in Denver average about $177.72 per month, slightly below national norms, shaving a bit off total cost of living. Grocery spending is about 1.9% higher than the U.S. average, with a single adult spending roughly $405.08 monthly.

Given transportation costs and those housing figures, recommended household income in Denver for a family of four is around $127,095 to live comfortably. Use these figures to calibrate expectations and prioritize housing and transit in planning.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for Individuals and Families

1 clear way to plan for life in Denver is to break monthly costs into core categories so you can see where your money goes.

You’ll use a data-driven, practical view to build a comfortable budget whether you’re a single adult or supporting a family of four. Start with housing costs: average rent runs about $1,926 monthly and home prices average $650,555, so housing will dominate your monthly budget.

Add utilities — energy and telecom average $169.80 and $197.22 — then groceries and other living expenses.

1. Housing (rent/mortgage) — largest slice of budget
2. Utilities — energy + telecommunications ~ $367 total
3. Groceries — ~$405 for a single adult; ~$1,187.67 for a family of four
4. Other living expenses — transport, insurance, entertainment

A single adult should plan around $5,254 monthly; a family of four about $10,591, adjusting for lifestyle and savings goals.

Housing: Rent, Buy and Neighborhoods to Consider

Now that you’ve mapped monthly expenses, housing deserves focused attention because it will take the largest share of your budget: average rent in Denver runs about $1,926 per month (one-bedrooms ~$1,494; two-bedrooms ~$2,354), while the median home price sits near $650,555 — a level that makes buying a significant financial commitment for many.

You’ll weigh monthly rent against mortgage costs using the price-to-rent ratio (23.6), which suggests renting is generally cheaper than buying right now. If you need a two-bedroom apartment, expect higher rents and competition in desirable areas.

Look to affordable neighborhoods like Barnum and Westwood for lower rental options and to trim living costs. If you’re considering purchase, factor in the average home price, down payment, and long-term appreciation in a competitive housing market.

New apartments also expand rental options, so shop listings, compare rent versus buy scenarios, and prioritize location, commute, and resale potential before committing.

Utilities and Internet Costs

You’ll want to budget for monthly energy bills of roughly $170 and factor in internet at about $66 per month.

Add phone and data plans—which push average telecom spending close to $197—to get a full picture of recurring household costs.

These numbers help you compare rent or mortgage offers that include utilities and estimate true monthly living expenses.

Monthly Energy Bills

Monthly energy and utility costs in Denver run about $169.80 per month on average, a major line item in household budgets that also includes internet and phone service.

You’ll find monthly energy bills are an essential component of household expenses and affect your overall budget whether you rent or own. Denver’s utilities are slightly below the national average of roughly $177.72, so your total utility costs may be modestly lower than in many other cities.

1. Winter heating spikes: higher gas/electric use.
2. Summer cooling: air conditioning raises bills.
3. Phone bill impact: average $197.22 adds to expenses.
4. Internet included sometimes: reduces out-of-pocket utilities.

Use these figures to forecast monthly expenses precisely.

Internet and Streaming

Although energy costs grab attention, internet and streaming can quietly add another $60–$200+ to your monthly bills in Denver.

High-speed service averages about $65.85 and phone plans around $197.22; together with the average energy cost of $169.80, these telecom expenses are a material part of household budgets.

You’ll typically pay about the $65.85 average for high-speed internet as a core utility costs line item.

Streaming subscriptions layer on as flexible entertainment expenses — a few services can push your monthly total considerably higher.

Because Denver’s overall utility costs are slightly below the national average, you can optimize your budget by bundling services, trimming unused subscriptions, and comparing providers to keep telecommunications and household spending predictable.

Phone and Data Plans

Communications are a predictable slice of your Denver budget: expect to pay about $197.22 a month for phone service and roughly $65.85 for high‑speed internet, with household utility averages around $749 for homeowners and $339 for renters when telecom is included.

You’ll want to plan telecom as part of monthly utility expenses since the average phone bill and average internet service together form a steady line item. Budgeting should cover base plans plus occasional overages or device payments.

1. Mobile plan: $197.22 — primary phone bill.
2. Home internet: $65.85 — high-speed internet baseline.
3. Homeowners: $749 — total utility costs including telecom.
4. Renters: $339 — total utility costs including telecom.

Keep it realistic and track usage.

Grocery and Dining Expenses

If you’re budgeting for food in Denver, expect groceries for a single adult to run about $405.08 per month (roughly $4,861 annually) and around $1,187.67 monthly for a family of four. Your grocery and dining expenses will depend on how often you eat out: inexpensive restaurant meals average $20, while a three-course meal for two is about $80. Basic items — milk $4.62/gal, eggs $2.98 dozen, bread $4.29 — help you plan staples.

Use these averages to set a monthly food cost target. If you cook most meals, stick near the single adult grocery average; if you dine out weekly, add $100–$300 monthly. Tracking receipts for a month gives a precise picture of your food cost and lets you adjust the budget for family or single adult needs.

Healthcare and Insurance Costs

Healthcare in Denver can add about $250.50 to your monthly budget, since the average single-adult annual cost is roughly $3,006. You’ll want to plan for routine healthcare and insurance premiums, plus out-of-pocket visits and meds.

Healthcare in Denver typically adds about $250.50 monthly — plan for premiums, visits, and prescription costs.

Use the facts below to visualize typical costs and shape your healthcare budgets.

1. Doctor visit: $134.18 average — plan for several annually if you have chronic care.
2. Dentist appointment: $140.57 average — include at least one clean/check per year.
3. Optometry check-up: $122.31 average — vision care often needs annual budgeting.
4. Prescription drug costs: $26.76 average per medication — factor monthly fills or specialty meds.

This data-driven snapshot helps you estimate an evidence-based monthly budget beyond premiums.

If you expect more than one specialist visit, dental work, or multiple prescriptions, scale the $250.50 baseline upward to keep your healthcare spending realistic and avoid surprises.

Transportation and Commuting Expenses

You’ll want to weigh public transit versus driving when budgeting for Denver: an RTD monthly pass is $114 while the average monthly car ownership cost is about $657.

Gas averages near $3.05 per gallon, contributing to an individual’s roughly $672.25 monthly transportation spend (about $8,067 yearly), while families face about $1,127.67 per month.

Consider commuting time tradeoffs too—faster routes or car ownership can raise costs, while longer transit commutes may save money.

Public Transit Costs

Public transit in Denver is run by the Regional Transportation District (RTD) and can be a cost-effective option: a monthly RTD pass is about $114 for unlimited bus and light-rail rides within zones, versus roughly $657 per month for car ownership (insurance, maintenance, fuel).

Average annual transportation costs for a single adult are about $8,067 (≈ $672.25/month). You’ll find Denver RTD buses and light rail cover most commutes, so a monthly pass can cut your transportation costs considerably.

Consider these practical scenarios to visualize savings:

1. Daily commuter using RTD monthly pass for work and errands.
2. Occasional rider buying single fares.
3. Car owner paying insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
4. Budget-conscious commuters comparing monthly pass versus car ownership.

Track gasoline prices too when evaluating total cost.

Driving and Fuel

If you rely on a car instead of the RTD, fuel and upkeep quickly become the dominant line items in your budget: Denver’s average gasoline price is about $3.05 per gallon, and typical car ownership costs run around $657 per month—nearly matching the city’s average monthly transportation spending of $672.25.

When driving, fuel consumption, insurance, parking and vehicle maintenance drive expenses; a single tire balance service averages $63.48, and regular upkeep adds up.

Compare that to public transportation: a Denver RTD monthly pass is $114, which can cut your average monthly cost substantially if you can rely on transit.

Factor in trip frequency and distance when choosing between car ownership and transit to optimize overall transportation spending.

Commuting Time Tradeoffs

Because many Denver residents trade longer commutes for cheaper housing outside the city, you should weigh time against money when planning where to live and how to get to work.

Transportation in Denver raises commuting expenses—costs run about 16.1% above the national average, roughly $672.25 monthly per adult.

Compare options: a Denver RTD system monthly pass at about $114 versus average car ownership costs near $657 monthly (fuel, insurance, maintenance). Gas at $3.05/gal pushes driving costs higher.

1. Longer commute, lower rent: save on affordable housing but add travel time.
2. Shorter commute, higher rent: cut commuting times, raise housing costs.
3. Public transportation: fixed monthly pass lowers variable costs.
4. Car ownership: flexibility with higher household budget impact.

Taxes, Income and Job Market

While Denver’s median household income of about $88,213 is slightly below the Colorado average, you’ll find the city’s flat 4.4% state income tax and an 8.810% city sales tax shape take-home pay and everyday expenses in predictable ways. You’ll plan budgets around recurring expenses — state taxes reduce gross income uniformly, while the sales tax rate bumps everyday purchases. Property taxes rely on the Mill Levy tied to assessed value, so housing costs can vary by neighborhood.

Denver’s job market centers on office/admin, sales, and healthcare roles; average salaries vary, with management topping about $163,890. When evaluating offers, compare net income after taxes and recurring expenses to the median household income and Colorado average to judge affordability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Average Cost of Living in Denver per Month?

You’ll need about $5,254 monthly. Denver housing dominates costs; grocery prices, transportation costs, utility expenses, healthcare rates, dining expenses, entertainment options, education fees, childcare costs and lifestyle adjustments drive that practical, data-driven estimate.

How Much Money Do I Need to Live Comfortably in Denver?

You’ll need about $5,254 monthly to live comfortably; that ties to average salary, housing market, transportation expenses, grocery prices, utility costs, dining expenses, entertainment options, lifestyle choices, job opportunities and savings potential you’ll balance.

Can You Live on 60K in Denver?

You can, but it’s tight: use salary breakdown to plan, apply budgeting tips, compare housing options, adjust lifestyle choices, track expense management (transportation costs, grocery prices, entertainment expenses), use saving strategies and leverage the job market.

How Much Does Independent Living Cost in Denver?

You’ll face a comfortable pinch: independent living in Denver averages about $5,254 monthly, covering housing options, utilities, transportation expenses, healthcare costs, monthly expenses, Denver amenities, local cuisine, community activities, social services, and smart financial planning.

Conclusion

You’ll notice the numbers line up: a single adult averages $5,254/month while a family of four spends $10,591 — and housing, at roughly $1,926/month (one-bed ~$1,494), drives most of it. That coincidence tells you where to act: trim rent, pick neighborhoods wisely, and reassess transport and utilities ($367 utilities; transport ~$672 individual). Be practical — use these figures to set a realistic budget, prioritize housing savings, and hunt for job or tax benefits.