Moving from Chicago, IL-IN to Denver, CO
About 4,660 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Denver, CO.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.8% of income in Chicago, IL-IN and 21.0% in Denver, CO.
Chicago, IL-IN Denver, CO (monthly)
| Monthly | Chicago, IL-IN | Denver, CO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,270 | $1,223 | −$48 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $277 | $198 | −$79 |
| Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) – employee share2026 tax law | $0 | $26 | +$26 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Denver. | $0 | $6 | +$6 |
| Take-home pay | $4,563 | $4,611 | +$48 |
| Housing | $1,780 | $1,831 | +$51 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,780 | $1,831 | +$51 |
| Food | $472 | $445 | −$28 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 101.0 | $472 | $445 | −$28 |
| Transportation | $164 | $161 | −$4 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.02/gal (CO weekly average) | $164 | $161 | −$4 |
| Sales tax | $34 | $15 | −$19 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 2.9% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $34 | $15 | −$19 |
| Other goods & services | $1,039 | $1,002 | −$37 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 101.0 | $536 | $505 | −$32 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.4 | $502 | $497 | −$5 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,074 | $1,157 | +$84 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 16.8% of income in Chicago, IL-IN and 16.1% in Denver, CO.
Chicago, IL-IN Denver, CO (monthly)
| Monthly | Chicago, IL-IN | Denver, CO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,682 | $1,612 | −$69 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $447 | $322 | −$125 |
| Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) – employee share2026 tax law | $0 | $44 | +$44 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Denver. | $0 | $12 | +$12 |
| Take-home pay | $8,318 | $8,388 | +$69 |
| Housing | $2,011 | $2,169 | +$158 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,011 | $2,169 | +$158 |
| Childcare | $1,440 | $2,606 | +$1,167 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $332/wk, school-age $160/wk (2022 prices, Denver County, CO); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,440 | $2,606 | +$1,167 |
| Food | $1,376 | $1,295 | −$81 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 101.0 | $1,376 | $1,295 | −$81 |
| Transportation | $329 | $322 | −$7 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.02/gal (CO weekly average) | $329 | $322 | −$7 |
| Sales tax | $34 | $15 | −$19 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 2.9% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $34 | $15 | −$19 |
| Other goods & services | $1,039 | $1,002 | −$37 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 101.0 | $536 | $505 | −$32 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.4 | $502 | $497 | −$5 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,091 | $979 | −$1,112 |
Chicago, IL-IN vs Denver, CO at a glance
| Measure | Chicago, IL-IN | Denver, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 103.6 | 105.8 |
| Housing price level | 112.0 | 146.9 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,780 | $1,831 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,011 | $2,169 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,586 | $2,846 |
| Median home value | $323,000 | $603,800 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.98% | 0.51% |
| Median household income | $90,887 | $105,762 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $278 | $430 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | Denver |
| State sales tax | 6.25% | 2.9% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $4.02 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $127 | $103 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Denver, CO to keep my Chicago, IL-IN lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Chicago, IL-IN, about $68,470 in Denver, CO (−2.2%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $138,380. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Denver, CO cheaper than Chicago, IL-IN?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Denver, CO is at 105.8 and Chicago, IL-IN at 103.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$84 a month in Denver, CO.
How many people move from Chicago, IL-IN to Denver, CO?+
About 4,660 people a year (±788), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.