City Comparison · 2026
Phoenix vs Denver
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Phoenix = $124k in Denver
Metric
Phoenix
Denver
COL Index
✓1.12
1.39
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,450/mo
$1,900/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,820/mo
$2,400/mo
State Income Tax
AZ
CO
$100k Take-Home
✓$76,236
$74,336
$100k Effective Rate
✓23.76%
25.66%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$58,836
$51,536
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Phoenix AZ | Denver CO |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,748 $4,062/mo · 18.75% eff. | $47,608 $3,967/mo · 20.65% eff. |
| $100,000 | $76,236 $6,353/mo · 23.76% eff. | $74,336 $6,195/mo · 25.66% eff. |
| $150,000 | $109,528 $9,127/mo · 26.98% eff. | $106,678 $8,890/mo · 28.88% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phoenix or Denver cheaper to live in?
Phoenix has a cost-of-living index of 1.12 while Denver is 1.39 (1.00 = US average). Phoenix is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Phoenix is $1,450/month vs $1,900/month in Denver.
How much more do you need to earn in Denver vs Phoenix?
$100k in Phoenix = $124k in Denver. Cost of living in Denver is higher by 24.1%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Phoenix or Denver?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $76,236 in AZ (Phoenix) and $74,336 in CO (Denver). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $58,836 in Phoenix vs $51,536 in Denver.
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