Denver, CO vs. Portland, OR: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Denver and Portland, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Denver, CO | Portland, OR | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 718,877 | 641,165 | -10.8% |
| Median household income | $94,718 | $90,919 | -4.0% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,831 | $1,655 | -9.6% |
| Median home value | $616,000 | $581,500 | -5.6% |
Difference is Portland, OR relative to Denver, CO.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Colorado 103.1, Oregon 103.4, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Denver, CO buys about as much as $100,300 in Portland, OR.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Denver, CO | Portland, OR |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $73,240 | $66,200 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 23.2% | 21.8% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $345,525 | $331,667 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.