Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Denver vs San Francisco
Denver vs San Francisco 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 San FranciscoDenver is 48% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $6,288 a month in Denver feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$331 vs $442
Per month
$6,288 vs $10,236
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 20
$16 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 17 vs $ 21
$17 vs $21
At a glance
FoodDenver 21% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksDenver 20% cheaper
TransportDenver 7% cheaper
StayDenver 38% cheaper
FunDenver 10% cheaper
- Where Denver is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (45%β), Hotel night (28%β), Restaurant dinner (24%β)
Item by item
| Item | Denver | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 20$20 | Denver β20% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 9$9 | Denver β20% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 55$55 | Denver β24% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 6$6 | Denver β17% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 9$9 | Denver β22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 23$23 | Denver β22% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Denver β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Denver β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 17$17 | $ 21$21 | Denver β19% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 13$13 | Denver β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 3$3 | $ 2.75$2.75 | San Francisco β8% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | $ 67$67 | Denver β10% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 250$250 | Denver β28% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,800$1,800 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Denver β45% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Denver β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | Denver β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 39$39 | Denver β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 110$110 | Denver β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | $ 100$100 | Denver β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | Denver β11% |
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 San Francisco?
Denver is 48% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $331 vs $442; a month $6,288 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between Denver and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Denver is about $6,288 and San Francisco about $10,236 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.