Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Boston to Denver
Moving from Boston to Denver involves distinct housing, income, commute, and tax trade-offs according to 2024 ACS 5-year Census data. In a standardized renting scenario, Denver averages approximately $3,792 less per year in baseline core expenses. Boston records a median gross rent of $2,147/mo against $1,831/mo in Denver, while median household incomes stand at $97,344 and $94,718 respectively. Commute times average 33 minutes in Boston compared to 27 minutes in Denver. State income tax policies (Massachusetts: 5.0%, Colorado: 4.4%) can further influence take-home earnings.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to Denver → BostonMoving from Boston to Denver
Median Rent Impact
-$316/mo
Moving to Denver saves ~$3,792/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
-0.6%
~$600 saved in state tax on a $100k salary in Colorado.
Daily Commute Difference
-6 min / day
Difference of ~50 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTBOS → DEN
72/ 100
Worth serious consideration
Your modeled annual room improves.Estimated annual life delta+$15,998after modeled taxes and essentials
Best gainRent-to-income ratio suggests affordability by standard metric.
Watch closelyCitywide averages mask local variation in costs and quality of life factors.
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Denver is about $3,792 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Boston household income$97,344
Denver household income$94,718
Boston gross rent$2,147
Denver gross rent$1,831
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Boston | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 666,442 | 718,877 |
| Median household income | $97,344 | $94,718 |
| Median gross rent | $2,147 | $1,831 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $731,700 | $616,000 |
| State-tax treatment | 5% simplified | 4.4% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 33 minutes in Boston and 27 minutes in Denver. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Rent advantage: Denver saves ~$3,792/year in median rent
- Income scale: Boston local median income is $2,626 higher
- State tax treatment: Massachusetts (5.0%) vs Colorado (4.4%)
- Commute reality: 33 min one-way (Boston) vs 27 min (Denver)
What each city wins
Boston
A strong household-income benchmark with a home value below coastal California peers. Watch high rent and a 33-minute derived commute still pressure the default budget.
Denver
Rent-to-income ratio suggests affordability by standard metric.. Watch citywide averages mask local variation in costs and quality of life factors..
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to live in Denver than Boston?
Yes. Based on 2024 ACS data, median gross rent in Denver ($1,831/mo) is lower than Boston ($2,147/mo), saving approximately $3,792 per year.
How do salaries compare between Boston and Denver?
The 2024 ACS 5-year Census estimate indicates median household income in Boston is $97,344 versus $94,718 in Denver.
How does moving from Boston to Denver impact state income tax?
Massachusetts has a 5.0% reference rate compared to 4.4% in Colorado.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. Tax rates are simplified official references, not personal tax calculations. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.