Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Denver vs Los Angeles
Denver vs Los Angeles cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Denver
πΊπΈ Los AngelesDenver is 20% cheaper than Los Angeles
Living on $6,288 a month in Denver feels like about $8,136 in Los Angeles β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$331 vs $369
Per month
$6,288 vs $8,136
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 18
$16 vs $18
Taxi 5 km
$ 17 vs $ 20
$17 vs $20
At a glance
FoodDenver 10% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksDenver 12% cheaper
TransportLos Angeles 8% cheaper
StayDenver 20% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Los Angeles is clearly cheaper: Transit (42%β)
- Where Denver is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (28%β)
Item by item
| Item | Denver | Los Angeles | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 18$18 | Denver β11% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 8.1$8.1 | Denver β11% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 45$45 | Denver β7% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Denver β9% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 8$8 | Denver β12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 21$21 | Denver β14% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 17$17 | $ 20$20 | Denver β15% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 12$12 | similar |
| Transitone ride | $ 3$3 | $ 1.75$1.75 | Los Angeles β42% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | $ 62$62 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 200$200 | Denver β10% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,800$1,800 | $ 2,500$2,500 | Denver β28% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 26$26 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 100$100 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | $ 93$93 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 26$26 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Denver or Los Angeles?
Denver is 20% cheaper than Los Angeles. Daily budget $331 vs $369; a month $6,288 vs $8,136.
How do monthly costs compare between Denver and Los Angeles?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Denver is about $6,288 and Los Angeles about $8,136 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.