City Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Seattle
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Denver = $119k in Seattle
Metric
Denver
Seattle
COL Index
✓1.39
1.66
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,900/mo
$2,400/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,400/mo
$3,100/mo
State Income Tax
CO
WA
$100k Take-Home
$74,336
✓$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
25.66%
✓21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$51,536
$49,936
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Denver CO | Seattle WA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,608 $3,967/mo · 20.65% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,336 $6,195/mo · 25.66% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,678 $8,890/mo · 28.88% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Denver has a cost-of-living index of 1.39 while Seattle is 1.66 (1.00 = US average). Denver is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Denver is $1,900/month vs $2,400/month in Seattle.
How much more do you need to earn in Seattle vs Denver?
$100k in Denver = $119k in Seattle. Cost of living in Seattle is higher by 19.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Denver or Seattle?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,336 in CO (Denver) and $78,736 in WA (Seattle). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $51,536 in Denver vs $49,936 in Seattle.
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