City comparison · Rent & affordability
Seattle vs Denver: rent and cost of living
Median rent in Seattle ($2,300) is 21% higher than in Denver ($1,900). But raw rent isn't the whole picture — what you earn locally determines how much pressure that rent actually puts on your budget.
Seattle
Confidence: medium
Denver
Confidence: medium
What renters actually spend (% of income)
Seattle
Denver
These are what renters actually pay — not recommended targets.
Salary needed for median rent (30% rule)
Seattle requires $16,000 more per year to comfortably cover median rent.
Affordability verdict
Seattle is slightly easier on the wallet. The median renter spends 28% of income on rent there, versus 30% in Denver — a 2-point gap that compounds over time. Median rent is $2,300 in Seattle versus $1,900 in Denver. Despite similar rent levels in absolute terms, income differences explain the gap — local wages stretch further in Seattle.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seattle cheaper than Denver to rent in?
Yes — Seattle is more affordable relative to local incomes. The median renter in Seattle spends 28% of gross income on rent, versus 30% in Denver.
What salary do you need to rent in Seattle vs Denver?
To comfortably afford median rent at the 30% rule, you need $92,000/year in Seattle and $76,000/year in Denver.
What is the average rent in Seattle compared to Denver?
Median 1-bedroom rent is $2,300/month in Seattle and $1,900/month in Denver. Budget options (bottom 10%) start at $1,300 and $1,100 respectively.
Explore Seattle in detail
Explore Denver in detail
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