CostIndexUSA

Denver, CO vs Richmond, VA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CO
Denver
105.8
overall index
$1,850/mo rent
More AffordableVA
Richmond
97.9
overall index
$1,650/mo rent

Richmond is moderately cheaper than Denver — 7.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Denver, you would need $74,000 in Richmond. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing32.5%
Denver
146.9
Richmond
99.1
🛒 Groceries4.2%
Denver
101
Richmond
96.8
🚗 Transportation0.9%
Denver
104.4
Richmond
103.5
🏥 Healthcare0.8%
Denver
94.5
Richmond
93.7
Utilities+1.5%
Denver
87.9
Richmond
89.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Denver to see what you'd need to earn in Richmond to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Richmond, VA
$74,000
$6,000 less needed in Richmond

Formula: salary × (97.9 ÷ 105.8) = salary × 0.9253. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Denver, CO

Median Home Price
$559,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Housing Index
146.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
25.2×

Richmond, VA

Median Home Price
$381,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
99.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.2×

Denver has 32.5% lower housing costs compared to Richmond.

Income & Job Market

Denver, CO

Median Household Income
$103,100
Per Capita Income
$58,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
715,522
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceEnergyHealthcareTourism

Richmond, VA

Median Household Income
$84,300
Per Capita Income
$48,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
226,610
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareGovernmentManufacturingEducation

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Denver, CO
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Richmond, VA
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.