Chicago
DenverVS
Chicago and Denver have similar costs overall.
| Chicago | Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City Centre) | $2,937.48 CAD | $2,587.78 CAD |
| Rent (1BR Outside Centre) | $2,377.96 CAD | $2,098.20 CAD |
| Groceries Index | 105 | 103 |
| Monthly Transit Pass | $104.91 CAD | $159.46 CAD |
| Utilities (monthly) | $202.83 CAD | $188.84 CAD |
| Gas (per litre) | $1.33 CAD | $1.29 CAD |
| Mid-range Meal | $33.57 CAD | $32.17 CAD |
| Gym Membership | $69.94 CAD | $69.94 CAD |
| Childcare (monthly) | $2,238.08 CAD | $2,098.20 CAD |
Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.
Salary Equivalence Calculator
If you earn $in Chicago...
You would need $60,397 in Denver to maintain the same lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Denver?
Chicago and Denver have similar costs overall.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Denver?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $1,850 USD in Denver. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $1,500 USD in Denver.
What salary do I need to move from Chicago to Denver?
On average, you need about 101% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $60,397 in Denver.