Moving from Denver, CO to Boulder, CO
About 10,998 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 10,768 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Boulder, 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 21.0% of income in Denver, CO and 20.9% in Boulder, CO.
Denver, CO Boulder, CO (monthly)
| Monthly | Denver, CO | Boulder, CO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,223 | $1,217 | −$6 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $198 | $198 | $0 |
| Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) – employee share2026 tax law | $26 | $26 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Denver. | $6 | $0 | −$6 |
| Take-home pay | $4,611 | $4,616 | +$6 |
| Housing | $1,831 | $1,735 | −$96 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,831 | $1,735 | −$96 |
| Food | $445 | $423 | −$22 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.1 | $445 | $423 | −$22 |
| Transportation | $161 | $161 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.02/gal (CO weekly average) | $161 | $161 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $15 | $14 | −$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 2.9% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $15 | $14 | −$1 |
| Other goods & services | $1,002 | $979 | −$23 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.1 | $505 | $480 | −$25 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.8 | $497 | $499 | +$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,157 | $1,304 | +$147 |
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 16.1% of income in Denver, CO and 16.0% in Boulder, CO.
Denver, CO Boulder, CO (monthly)
| Monthly | Denver, CO | Boulder, CO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,612 | $1,601 | −$12 |
| 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 | $322 | $322 | $0 |
| Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) – employee share2026 tax law | $44 | $44 | $0 |
| Local income tax2026 tax law · Mandatory local income tax for residents of Denver. | $12 | $0 | −$12 |
| Take-home pay | $8,388 | $8,399 | +$12 |
| Housing | $2,169 | $2,033 | −$136 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,169 | $2,033 | −$136 |
| Childcare | $2,606 | $2,762 | +$156 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $348/wk, school-age $174/wk (2022 prices, Boulder County, CO); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,606 | $2,762 | +$156 |
| Food | $1,295 | $1,232 | −$63 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 96.1 | $1,295 | $1,232 | −$63 |
| Transportation | $322 | $322 | $0 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $4.02/gal (CO weekly average) | $322 | $322 | $0 |
| Sales tax | $15 | $14 | −$1 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 2.9% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $15 | $14 | −$1 |
| Other goods & services | $1,002 | $979 | −$23 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 96.1 | $505 | $480 | −$25 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.8 | $497 | $499 | +$2 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $979 | $1,057 | +$78 |
Denver, CO vs Boulder, CO at a glance
| Measure | Denver, CO | Boulder, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 105.8 | 105.2 |
| Housing price level | 146.9 | 157.0 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,831 | $1,735 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,169 | $2,033 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,846 | $2,703 |
| Median home value | $603,800 | $756,300 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.51% | 0.53% |
| Median household income | $105,762 | $103,994 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $430 | $404 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | Denver | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.02 | $4.02 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $103 | $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 Boulder, CO to keep my Denver, CO lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Denver, CO, about $67,313 in Boulder, CO (−3.8%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $118,760. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Boulder, CO cheaper than Denver, CO?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Boulder, CO is at 105.2 and Denver, CO at 105.8 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$147 a month in Boulder, CO.
How many people move from Denver, CO to Boulder, CO?+
About 10,998 people a year (±1,209), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 10,768 move the other way.
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.