Denver Cost of Living 2026
United States · Big city · mountains — about the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Denver price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $16$16 | $11.2 – $25.6 | $30.72+ |
| Street food1 item | $7.2$7.2 | $4.32 – $12.96 | $15.55+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $42$42 | $29.4 – $67.2 | $80.64+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | $4.5$4.5 | $2.7 – $8.1 | $9.72+ |
| Coffeeone cup | $5$5 | $3 – $8 | $9.6+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | $7$7 | $4.2 – $12.6 | $15.12+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $5$5 | $3 – $9.5 | $11.4+ |
| Bottled water | $2$2 | $1.4 – $4 | $4.8+ |
| Beerone bottle | $7$7 | $4.2 – $11.9 | $14.28+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $18$18 | $10.8 – $30.6 | $36.72+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | $17$17 | $13.6 – $27.2 | $32.64+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $12$12 | $8.4 – $21.6 | $25.92+ |
| Transitone ride | $3$3 | $2.7 – $3.9 | $4.68+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | $60$60 | $42 – $96 | $115.2+ |
| Hotel night3-star | $180$180 | $108 – $288 | $345.6+ |
| Laundry | $4$4 | $2.8 – $6.4 | $7.68+ |
| SIM card1 week data | $25$25 | $17.5 – $42.5 | $51+ |
| Haircutcut | $35$35 | $21 – $63 | $75.6+ |
| Massage1 hour | $100$100 | $70 – $160 | $192+ |
| Half-day tourper person | $90$90 | $63 – $144 | $172.8+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $25$25 | $20 – $35 | $42+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate $1 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Denver
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Denver for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $4,079) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $2,209) comes to roughly $6,288 a month. A local long-term lease (studio $1,800) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Denver?
A mid-range room (about $185 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $331 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Denver is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect $13.6 – $27.2. Anything above $32.64 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Denver?
Coffee about $5 ($5), a local meal about $16 ($16), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about $42.