City Comparison · 2026
Salt Lake City vs Denver
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Salt Lake City = $118k in Denver
Metric
Salt Lake City
Denver
COL Index
✓1.18
1.39
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,550/mo
$1,900/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,950/mo
$2,400/mo
State Income Tax
UT
CO
$100k Take-Home
$73,886
✓$74,336
$100k Effective Rate
26.11%
✓25.66%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$55,286
$51,536
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Salt Lake City UT | Denver CO |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,338 $3,945/mo · 21.1% eff. | $47,608 $3,967/mo · 20.65% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,886 $6,157/mo · 26.11% eff. | $74,336 $6,195/mo · 25.66% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,003 $8,834/mo · 29.33% eff. | $106,678 $8,890/mo · 28.88% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salt Lake City or Denver cheaper to live in?
Salt Lake City has a cost-of-living index of 1.18 while Denver is 1.39 (1.00 = US average). Salt Lake City is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Salt Lake City is $1,550/month vs $1,900/month in Denver.
How much more do you need to earn in Denver vs Salt Lake City?
$100k in Salt Lake City = $118k in Denver. Cost of living in Denver is higher by 17.8%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Salt Lake City or Denver?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,886 in UT (Salt Lake City) and $74,336 in CO (Denver). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $55,286 in Salt Lake City vs $51,536 in Denver.
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