A single adult in Denver typically spends about $5,254 per month, with housing driving most of that cost. Below you’ll find clear line-item numbers for rent, groceries, utilities, healthcare, and transportation. I’ll also show which neighborhoods ease the burden and practical ways to trim monthly expenses so you can decide whether Denver fits your budget.
Quick Answer
- A single adult needs roughly $5,254/month; a family of four needs about $10,591/month.
- Rent averages $1,926/month (one-bedrooms around $1,494).
- Groceries run about $405/month for one adult; transportation adds roughly $672/month.
- Denver’s overall cost of living is about 10.3% above the national average, mostly due to housing and transit.
- To live comfortably as a family of four, a household income around $127,095/year is recommended.
Denver Cost of Living Snapshot
Denver offers a high quality of life, but expect overall living costs to run about 10.3% above the national average. Housing and transportation are the main drivers.
Though Denver offers great quality of life, expect about 10% higher living costs, largely from housing and transit.
Average monthly rent in Denver sits around $1,926, with one-bedroom units averaging $1,494. Housing accounts for roughly 36.7% of a typical yearly budget, so it will dominate your monthly spending.
Utilities average about $177.72 per month, which is slightly below the national norm. Grocery spending runs about 1.9% above the U.S. average, with a single adult spending roughly $405 monthly.
Given housing and transportation figures, the recommended household income in Denver for a family of four is around $127,095 to live comfortably. Use these numbers to set your baseline before diving into the category breakdowns below.
Monthly Budget Breakdown for Individuals and Families
Breaking monthly costs into categories is the clearest way to plan. Start with housing: average rent runs about $1,926 and the median home price is $650,555, so housing will take the biggest slice of your budget.
Then add utilities (energy and telecom average $169.80 and $197.22 respectively), groceries, and other living expenses.
- Housing (rent or mortgage) — largest slice of budget
- Utilities — energy plus telecommunications, roughly $367 combined
- Groceries — about $405 for a single adult; about $1,187.67 for a family of four
- Other living expenses — transport, insurance, entertainment
A single adult should plan around $5,254 monthly. A family of four should plan for about $10,591, adjusting for lifestyle and savings goals.
Housing: Rent, Buy and Neighborhoods to Consider
Housing will take the largest share of your budget. Average rent in Denver runs about $1,926 per month (one-bedrooms around $1,494; two-bedrooms around $2,354), and the median home price sits near $650,555. Buying is a significant financial commitment for most people at that level.
Denver’s price-to-rent ratio of 23.6 suggests renting is generally cheaper than buying right now. If you need a two-bedroom, expect higher rents and more competition in desirable areas.
Neighborhoods like Barnum and Westwood offer lower rental prices for those looking to cut costs. If you’re considering buying, factor in the down payment, long-term appreciation, and where the market is heading in a competitive city.
New apartments continue to expand rental supply, so shop listings, compare rent-versus-buy scenarios, and weigh location, commute time, and resale potential before committing.
Utilities and Internet Costs
Budget about $170 per month for energy and around $66 for internet. Add phone and data plans, which push average telecom spending close to $197, and you have a clear picture of recurring household costs.
These numbers also help you compare rent or mortgage offers that include utilities and estimate your true monthly expenses.
Monthly Energy Bills
Energy and utility costs in Denver average about $169.80 per month. That’s slightly below the national average of roughly $177.72, so your total utility bill may be modestly lower than in many other cities.
- Winter heating spikes: higher gas and electric use.
- Summer cooling: air conditioning raises bills.
- Phone bill impact: average $197.22 adds to monthly expenses.
- Internet sometimes included: can reduce out-of-pocket utility costs.
Use these figures to forecast monthly expenses with more precision.
Internet and Streaming
Energy costs get a lot of attention, but internet and streaming can quietly add another $60 to $200 or more to your monthly bills in Denver.
High-speed internet averages about $65.85 and phone plans run around $197.22. Together with the average energy cost of $169.80, telecom is a meaningful part of any household budget.
Streaming subscriptions layer on as flexible entertainment expenses. A few services can push your monthly total considerably higher if you’re not paying attention.
Because Denver’s overall utility costs are slightly below the national average, you can keep things manageable by bundling services, cutting unused subscriptions, and comparing providers each year.
Phone and Data Plans
Telecom is a predictable part of your Denver budget. Expect about $197.22 per month for phone service and roughly $65.85 for high-speed internet. When telecom is included, total household utility averages run around $749 for homeowners and $339 for renters.
- Mobile plan: $197.22 — primary phone bill.
- Home internet: $65.85 — high-speed internet baseline.
- Homeowners: $749 — total utility costs including telecom.
- Renters: $339 — total utility costs including telecom.
Budget for base plans plus occasional overages or device payments, and track your actual usage each month.
Grocery and Dining Expenses
Groceries for a single adult in Denver run about $405.08 per month (roughly $4,861 annually) and about $1,187.67 monthly for a family of four. How much you spend on food also depends on how often you eat out: inexpensive restaurant meals average $20, while a three-course dinner for two costs about $80. Staple prices give you a useful planning anchor: milk is $4.62 per gallon, eggs are $2.98 per dozen, and bread is $4.29.
| Item | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Steak (per lb) | $15.52 |
| Ground beef (per lb) | $7.11 |
| Inexpensive restaurant meal | $20 |
If you cook most meals at home, stay close to the single adult grocery average. If you dine out weekly, add $100 to $300 per month. Tracking receipts for one month gives you a precise picture and lets you adjust for family size or dining habits.
Healthcare and Insurance Costs
Healthcare in Denver adds about $250.50 to your monthly budget, since the average single-adult annual cost is roughly $3,006. Plan for insurance premiums, routine visits, and out-of-pocket costs including prescriptions.
Healthcare in Denver typically adds about $250.50 monthly — plan for premiums, visits, and prescription costs.
- Doctor visit: $134.18 average — plan for several per year if you have ongoing care needs.
- Dentist appointment: $140.57 average — budget for at least one cleaning and check per year.
- Optometry check-up: $122.31 average — vision care usually needs annual budgeting.
- Prescription drug costs: $26.76 average per medication — factor in monthly fills or specialty drugs.
If you expect more than one specialist visit, dental work, or multiple prescriptions, scale your baseline above $250.50 to avoid surprises.
Transportation and Commuting Expenses
When budgeting for transportation in Denver, the choice between public transit and driving makes a big difference. An RTD monthly pass costs $114, while average monthly car ownership runs about $657.
Gas averages near $3.05 per gallon, which contributes to an individual’s roughly $672.25 monthly transportation spend (about $8,067 per year). Families face about $1,127.67 per month. Factor in commuting time tradeoffs too — faster routes or car ownership raise costs, while longer transit commutes can save money.
Public Transit Costs
Denver’s public transit is run by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). An RTD monthly pass costs about $114 for unlimited bus and light-rail rides within zones. By comparison, car ownership runs roughly $657 per month when you factor in insurance, maintenance, and fuel.
Average annual transportation costs for a single adult are about $8,067, or roughly $672.25 per month. RTD buses and light rail cover most commutes, so a monthly pass can cut that figure considerably.
- Daily commuter using an RTD monthly pass for work and errands.
- Occasional rider buying single fares as needed.
- Car owner covering insurance, maintenance, and fuel each month.
- Budget-conscious commuters comparing a monthly pass against full car ownership costs.
Keep an eye on gasoline prices too when evaluating your total cost each year.
Driving and Fuel
If you rely on a car instead of RTD, fuel and upkeep quickly become the dominant line items. Denver’s average gasoline price is about $3.05 per gallon, and typical car ownership costs run around $657 per month, which is close to the city’s average monthly transportation spend of $672.25.
Insurance, parking, and maintenance drive a big chunk of those expenses. A single tire balance service averages $63.48, and regular upkeep adds up fast.
Compare that to a Denver RTD monthly pass at $114, which can cut your average monthly cost significantly if your commute allows it.
Factor in trip frequency and distance when deciding between car ownership and transit.
Commuting Time Tradeoffs
Many Denver residents trade longer commutes for cheaper housing outside the city. It’s worth running the numbers on both sides before choosing where to live.
Transportation in Denver costs about 16.1% above the national average, roughly $672.25 monthly per adult. Compare that to an RTD monthly pass at $114 versus car ownership near $657 per month when fuel, insurance, and maintenance are included.
- Longer commute, lower rent: saves on housing but adds daily travel time.
- Shorter commute, higher rent: cuts commuting time at a higher housing cost.
- Public transportation: a fixed monthly pass keeps variable costs predictable.
- Car ownership: more flexibility, but a bigger impact on your monthly budget.
Taxes, Income and Job Market
Denver’s median household income of about $88,213 sits slightly below the Colorado average. The city’s flat 4.4% state income tax and 8.810% city sales tax shape both take-home pay and everyday spending in fairly predictable ways.
State income tax reduces gross income at the same rate across income levels. The sales tax bumps up the cost of everyday purchases. Property taxes are tied to a Mill Levy based on assessed value, so what you pay can vary noticeably by neighborhood.
| Factor | Practical effect |
|---|---|
| flat state income tax (4.4%) | Predictable withholding across incomes |
| sales tax rate (8.810%) | Higher cost for goods/services |
| property taxes (Mill Levy) | Variable, depends on assessed value |
Denver’s job market centers on office and admin roles, sales, and healthcare. Average salaries vary widely, with management positions topping about $163,890. When evaluating job offers, compare net income after taxes and recurring expenses against the median household income and Colorado average to judge true affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Average Cost of Living in Denver per Month?
You’ll need about $5,254 monthly. Housing is the biggest driver, followed by transportation, groceries, utilities, and healthcare.
How Much Money Do I Need to Live Comfortably in Denver?
About $5,254 per month for a single adult. That number covers rent, food, transportation, utilities, and basic savings. Your exact number will shift depending on lifestyle and housing choices.
Can You Live on 60K in Denver?
You can, but it’s tight. A $60,000 salary works out to roughly $5,000 per month before taxes, which is right at the average single-adult spending level. You’ll need to be disciplined with housing costs, limit dining out, and use public transit where possible.
How Much Does Independent Living Cost in Denver?
Independent living in Denver averages about $5,254 monthly for a single adult, covering housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, groceries, and basic entertainment.
Conclusion
The numbers tell a clear story: a single adult averages $5,254 per month, and a family of four spends around $10,591. Housing, at roughly $1,926 per month (one-bedrooms around $1,494), drives most of it. The most effective places to act are rent, neighborhood choice, transportation (utilities around $367; individual transport around $672), and tracking recurring costs closely. Use these figures to build a realistic budget, prioritize housing savings, and evaluate whether job opportunities and tax rates make Denver work for your income.
