Portland, OR vs Denver, CO: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Denver, CO and Portland, OR are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Portland works out to about $75,300 in Denver, before taxes.
- Housing is 17.4% higher in Denver, goods 4.1% lower and other services 0.7% lower, which roughly cancel out.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 17.9% lower in Denver.
- Typical asking rent is $1,900 a month in Denver and $1,803 in Portland, $1,164 a year more in Denver (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $555,000 in Denver and $539,000 in Portland.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Denver was 1.9% less expensive than Portland.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Portland and Denver
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
All items Portland, OR: 105.4 Denver, CO: 105.8
Goods Portland, OR: 105.2 Denver, CO: 101.0
Housing (rents) Portland, OR: 125.1 Denver, CO: 146.9
Utilities Portland, OR: 107.0 Denver, CO: 87.9
Other services Portland, OR: 100.1 Denver, CO: 99.4
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 105.8 |
| Goods | 105.2 | 101.0 |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 146.9 |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 87.9 |
| Other services | 100.1 | 99.4 |
| Category | Portland | Denver | Denver vs Portland |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 105.4 | 105.8 | +0.3% |
| Goods | 105.2 | 101.0 | −4.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 125.1 | 146.9 | +17.4% |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 87.9 | −17.9% |
| Other services | 100.1 | 99.4 | −0.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,803 | $1,900 | +5.4% |
| Typical home value | $539,000 | $555,000 | +3.0% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Portland | $75,000 | $75,300 | +0.3% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Portland and Denver has narrowed since 2008: 7.1 points then, 0.4 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.7 | 105.8 |
| 2009 | 102.3 | 103.3 |
| 2010 | 101.6 | 101.9 |
| 2011 | 101.9 | 105.0 |
| 2012 | 104.3 | 105.1 |
| 2013 | 103.0 | 104.9 |
| 2014 | 102.1 | 104.8 |
| 2015 | 103.7 | 105.0 |
| 2016 | 101.5 | 105.2 |
| 2017 | 103.8 | 104.3 |
| 2018 | 107.3 | 102.4 |
| 2019 | 106.4 | 104.4 |
| 2020 | 105.8 | 109.4 |
| 2021 | 105.4 | 109.1 |
| 2022 | 108.8 | 107.3 |
| 2023 | 106.7 | 105.8 |
| 2024 | 105.4 | 105.8 |
Goods
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 92.5 | 107.9 |
| 2009 | 102.2 | 102.9 |
| 2010 | 100.3 | 102.9 |
| 2011 | 100.7 | 103.2 |
| 2012 | 102.0 | 102.7 |
| 2013 | 99.6 | 102.9 |
| 2014 | 100.2 | 101.7 |
| 2015 | 98.4 | 100.4 |
| 2016 | 100.3 | 100.5 |
| 2017 | 100.1 | 99.2 |
| 2018 | 104.6 | 98.8 |
| 2019 | 104.5 | 103.5 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 107.1 |
| 2021 | 106.5 | 106.7 |
| 2022 | 109.2 | 105.2 |
| 2023 | 104.8 | 101.6 |
| 2024 | 105.2 | 101.0 |
Housing (rents)
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 112.5 | 122.8 |
| 2009 | 114.0 | 120.0 |
| 2010 | 112.9 | 123.1 |
| 2011 | 113.4 | 131.1 |
| 2012 | 116.9 | 127.5 |
| 2013 | 116.1 | 128.7 |
| 2014 | 118.4 | 134.3 |
| 2015 | 123.1 | 141.6 |
| 2016 | 123.9 | 147.2 |
| 2017 | 129.7 | 148.2 |
| 2018 | 132.1 | 148.3 |
| 2019 | 131.2 | 147.3 |
| 2020 | 129.3 | 152.6 |
| 2021 | 127.8 | 146.2 |
| 2022 | 128.4 | 145.6 |
| 2023 | 124.8 | 146.1 |
| 2024 | 125.1 | 146.9 |
Utilities
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 90.4 | 79.3 |
| 2009 | 94.2 | 78.9 |
| 2010 | 87.3 | 81.9 |
| 2011 | 93.7 | 90.8 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 81.7 |
| 2013 | 90.6 | 79.5 |
| 2014 | 97.5 | 98.6 |
| 2015 | 105.0 | 87.2 |
| 2016 | 98.0 | 88.6 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 85.1 |
| 2018 | 92.4 | 88.7 |
| 2019 | 95.7 | 93.2 |
| 2020 | 95.8 | 95.0 |
| 2021 | 97.4 | 92.6 |
| 2022 | 91.5 | 95.2 |
| 2023 | 90.9 | 95.9 |
| 2024 | 107.0 | 87.9 |
Other services
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.1 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 99.4 | 100.2 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 96.7 |
| 2011 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2012 | 102.7 | 101.9 |
| 2013 | 102.5 | 101.2 |
| 2014 | 99.3 | 99.8 |
| 2015 | 102.1 | 99.8 |
| 2016 | 96.9 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 99.8 | 98.3 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 95.1 |
| 2019 | 101.7 | 95.5 |
| 2020 | 100.4 | 100.4 |
| 2021 | 99.0 | 101.9 |
| 2022 | 104.3 | 100.0 |
| 2023 | 103.9 | 99.3 |
| 2024 | 100.1 | 99.4 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,900 in Denver vs $1,803 in Portland
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,124 | $1,273 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,169 | $1,321 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,211 | $1,333 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,209 | $1,336 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,232 | $1,357 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,269 | $1,386 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,277 | $1,384 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,267 | $1,369 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,299 | $1,405 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,330 | $1,445 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,335 | $1,450 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,316 | $1,442 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,328 | $1,469 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,362 | $1,499 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,370 | $1,502 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,363 | $1,500 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,380 | $1,525 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,407 | $1,557 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,423 | $1,556 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,410 | $1,555 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,425 | $1,571 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,428 | $1,559 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,454 | $1,573 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,434 | $1,553 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,463 | $1,585 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,540 | $1,674 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,599 | $1,757 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,608 | $1,758 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,633 | $1,806 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,700 | $1,871 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,729 | $1,877 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,703 | $1,844 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,722 | $1,878 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,724 | $1,917 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,719 | $1,924 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,686 | $1,892 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,711 | $1,920 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,757 | $1,953 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,767 | $1,946 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,741 | $1,879 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,752 | $1,892 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,781 | $1,925 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,783 | $1,899 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,757 | $1,849 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,767 | $1,865 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,789 | $1,899 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,803 | $1,900 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $555,000 in Denver vs $539,000 in Portland
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Portland, OR
- Denver, CO
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Portland, OR | Denver, CO | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $292K | $299K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $299K | $310K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $309K | $320K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $321K | $329K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $333K | $339K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $345K | $348K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $352K | $354K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $360K | $362K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $370K | $372K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $377K | $380K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $381K | $382K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $384K | $389K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $392K | $398K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $397K | $405K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $399K | $410K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $400K | $413K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $404K | $419K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $406K | $422K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $406K | $424K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $411K | $429K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $421K | $438K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $424K | $442K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $430K | $448K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $451K | $466K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $473K | $487K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $497K | $518K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $510K | $534K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $521K | $546K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $546K | $580K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $568K | $609K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $554K | $596K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $541K | $581K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $531K | $571K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $536K | $571K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $542K | $579K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $542K | $581K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $543K | $581K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $545K | $582K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $546K | $583K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $550K | $585K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $550K | $580K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $543K | $569K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $540K | $565K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $544K | $567K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $543K | $562K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $538K | $554K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $539K | $555K | $366K |
More about each city
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.