Salary guide · US
What salary do you need to live in Denver?
Rent in Denver ranges from $1,100 to $3,200/month. The salary you need depends on which tier you're aiming for. The median Denver renter spends 30% of income on rent — within the 30% guideline.
Salary thresholds for Denver
Afford the cheapest 10% of rentals ($1,100/mo) spending 35% of income
Tight but possible in budget-end areas
Afford median rent ($1,900/mo) at the recommended 30% rule
Standard benchmark for financial stability
Afford upper-tier rent ($3,200/mo) spending 25% of income
Room for savings and lifestyle spending
How Denver renters actually spend
Source: US Census ACS 2022 + Zillow Observed Rent Index · 2022–2023
Context: Denver median income
The "comfortable" salary threshold aligns closely with the city median income, suggesting housing is reasonably attainable for typical earners in Denver.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to live in Denver?
To afford budget-level accommodation (bottom 10% of the market, around $1,100/month) without spending more than 35% of income on rent, you need roughly $37,714/year gross.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Denver?
Financial advisors typically recommend spending no more than 30% of gross income on rent. At Denver's median rent of $1,900/month, that requires a gross annual salary of at least $76,000.
Is $68,000/year enough to live in Denver?
The city median income of $68,000/year is below the $76,000 needed to comfortably afford median rent at 30%. This is why 30% of Denver renters spend more than the 30% guideline on housing.
Explore specific salaries in Denver
Profession guides for Denver