Denver, CO vs. Salt Lake City, UT: Cost of living comparison for renters (2026)

Looking to trade the buzz of Denver for the mountains of Salt Lake City, or vice versa?

Denver has long drawn renters with its mix of big-city energy, a booming job market and easy access to world-class skiing and hiking. But Salt Lake City is gaining fast as a top destination for those looking for a more affordable mountain-West lifestyle, with the same outdoor perks and a lower price tag to boot.

Before you sign a new lease, it helps to know how the two cities compare when it comes to everyday expenses. From rent and utilities to groceries and gas, each line item adds up fast.

Here’s a renter-friendly breakdown of the cost-of-living comparison between Denver and Salt Lake City.

Overall cost of living: Denver vs. Salt Lake City

Overall, both cities are below the national average. Denver’s overall cost of living is about 10% below the U.S. average, while Salt Lake City comes in around 4.8% below the national average.

That might seem like Denver is the winner, but the gap is mostly driven by healthcare, where Denver runs significantly cheaper. In the categories renters feel affect their wallets most, like housing, utilities and transportation, the two cities tell a more mixed story.

Denver vs. Salt Lake City: Cost of living breakdown

Let’s get into the numbers that affect your monthly budget. Below is a side-by-side look at how Denver and Salt Lake City compare across the categories that matter most to renters.

Housing and average rent

This is the category that moves the needle most for renters.

• Denver: $1,887 per month (about 8% above the $1,750 national average)
• Salt Lake City: $1,586 per month (about 9% below the national average)

The gap holds across every apartment size. A studio in Denver averages $1,429 per month, while in Salt Lake City the average is $1,164 per month. Meanwhile, a one-bedroom in Denver averages $1,703 per month, compared to $1,428 in Salt Lake City. If you’re looking at two-bedrooms, Denver averages $2,192 versus $1,775 in Salt Lake City. For families or roommates considering a three-bedroom, Salt Lake City’s average of $2,119 is noticeably lower than Denver’s $2,802.

Utilities

Utility costs in both cities are above the national average, thanks in part to the demands of mountain-West climates (cold winters, warm summers).

• Energy (monthly): $172.42 in Denver vs. $163.76 in Salt Lake City
• Phone (monthly): $198.90 in Denver vs. $199.51 in Salt Lake City

Overall, Denver’s utilities run about 13% above the national average, while Salt Lake City’s come in at about 15% above.

Groceries and food

For grocery prices, the two cities almost match.

• Milk (1 gallon): $4.64 in Denver, $4.68 in Salt Lake City
• Eggs (dozen): $4.29 in Denver, $4.75 in Salt Lake City
• Bread (loaf): $4.37 in Denver, $4.11 in Salt Lake City
• Ground beef (lb): $8.33 in Denver, $8.12 in Salt Lake City
• Coffee (13 oz): $7.09 in Denver, $6.93 in Salt Lake City

Though the differences are small for any single item, Salt Lake City comes out slightly cheaper on dining out and a handful of staples.

Transportation

Denver and Salt Lake City take different paths when it comes to transportation costs.

• Gasoline (per gallon): $3.04 in Denver, $3.11 in Salt Lake City
• Tire balancing: $62.86 in Denver, $75.72 in Salt Lake City

Both cities have public transit options. For example, Denver’s RTD and Salt Lake City’s TRAX and UTA bus network get you through certain parts of these towns easily. However, coverage and car dependence vary significantly by neighborhood.

The verdict: Which city is right for you?

When you stack up the cost-of-living comparison by city, Salt Lake City generally comes out as the more affordable option for renters.

The gap is most obvious in rent. Salt Lake City renters save an average of $300 or more a month, depending on apartment size. On top of this, Salt Lake City has a slight edge on transportation overall. Denver’s advantages are in healthcare (significantly lower costs) and grocery prices, where it runs a touch below the national average.

That said, the “right” city depends on more than just what you spend. Job market, lifestyle fit, commute and neighborhood vibe all matter. The good news is that both cities offer access to the mountains, growing economies and a renter’s market that, relative to coastal cities, remains manageable.

This cost of living by city comparison is a starting point. Your actual costs will vary based on where you live within each city and how you spend.

Ready to make your move? Browse thousands of apartment listings on RentCafe.com to find your next home in Salt Lake City.

And if you’re loving life in Colorado but just want to see what else is out there, explore the latest apartments for rent in Denver to compare your options.

Methodology

This cost of living comparison uses publicly available economic data and proprietary rental market figures. Here’s where the numbers come from and what to keep in mind.

Data sources

Consumer goods, services and home prices come from The Cost of Living Index, published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data is updated twice a year and was last published in February, 2026.

Average rent data comes from Yardi Matrix, our proprietary data source, where available. For locations not covered by Yardi Matrix, C2ER rent data was used. Rents represent average advertised rent per unit, not concessions-adjusted effective rent, unless otherwise noted.

Household income data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau‘s most recent estimates.

How the overall cost of living is calculated

The overall estimate for each city combines six spending categories: housing, utilities, transportation, groceries, healthcare and miscellaneous goods and services. Each category is weighted based on national spending averages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey. Housing carries the most weight because it accounts for the largest share of household spending.

Results are expressed as a percentage above or below the national average, making it easy to compare two cities side by side.

Limitations

• All figures are city-level averages and don’t capture neighborhood-by-neighborhood differences.
• Category weights reflect typical U.S. household spending. Your personal budget may skew differently.
• Publication schedules vary slightly across data sources, so not all figures reflect the exact same time period.
• The analysis assumes a standard household composition. Individual experiences may vary.

For the most current rent figures in either market, visit RentCafe.com’s Cost of Living Calculator.