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Denver vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Denver, CO | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 105.8 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $81,690 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $62,320 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $77,225 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $63,413 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $573,221 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $102,339 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 5.6 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 2,977,085 | 4,653,593 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Denver to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Denver to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.093.
| Salary in Denver | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Denver | $54,647 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Denver | $81,970 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Denver | $109,294 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Denver | $163,940 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Denver | $218,587 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Denver and San Francisco
| Job | Denver | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $40,800 | $38,810 | $38,570 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $149,400 | $193,430 | $141,234 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $38,240 | $44,620 | $36,150 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $171,600 | $177,240 | $162,220 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,920 | $176,900 | $95,404 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $41,980 | $47,290 | $39,685 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $39,190 | $43,260 | $37,048 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $57,860 | $56,950 | $54,697 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,700 | $51,280 | $45,093 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $93,970 | $110,360 | $88,834 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $42,130 | $48,720 | $39,827 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $51,870 | $46,460 | $49,035 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $46,870 | $50,270 | $44,308 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,510 | $47,210 | $42,077 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $107,620 | $120,780 | $101,738 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Denver vs San Francisco: questions
Is Denver more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 105.8 in Denver, CO and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Denver?
About $109,294, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Denver or San Francisco?
San Francisco, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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