City Comparison · 2026
Seattle vs Denver
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Seattle = $84k in Denver
Metric
Seattle
Denver
COL Index
1.66
✓1.39
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,400/mo
✓$1,900/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$3,100/mo
✓$2,400/mo
State Income Tax
WA
CO
$100k Take-Home
✓$78,736
$74,336
$100k Effective Rate
✓21.26%
25.66%
$100k Savings Potential
$49,936
✓$51,536
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Seattle WA | Denver CO |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. | $47,608 $3,967/mo · 20.65% eff. |
| $100,000 | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. | $74,336 $6,195/mo · 25.66% eff. |
| $150,000 | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. | $106,678 $8,890/mo · 28.88% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle or Denver cheaper to live in?
Seattle has a cost-of-living index of 1.66 while Denver is 1.39 (1.00 = US average). Denver is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Seattle is $2,400/month vs $1,900/month in Denver.
How much more do you need to earn in Seattle vs Denver?
$100k in Seattle = $84k in Denver. Cost of living in Denver is lower by 16.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Seattle or Denver?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736 in WA (Seattle) and $74,336 in CO (Denver). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $49,936 in Seattle vs $51,536 in Denver.
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