Purchasing Power
#9
of 124 cities
#9 of 124
North America
Denver
CO, United States
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Denver compare to Tokyo?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Denver is 63% better off vs in Tokyo
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Denver compared to Tokyo, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$107,360
+$66K (+157%) vs Tokyo
Tax Rate: 33%
Community Insights
NewDenver offers a compelling package for software engineers who prioritize lifestyle and outdoors over the hustle of coastal tech hubs. The financial picture is strong: with a median SWE salary of roughly $160k and excellent purchasing power, the city is economically viable even if the general cost of living is high relative to the national average. Housing affordability is surprisingly good relative to local salaries (requiring only ~3.3 years of income to buy a flat), which is a massive advantage over the Bay Area or NYC.
However, the city is not without its growing pains. The "Mountain Tax"—a term once used to describe lower salaries—has largely evaporated, but it has been replaced by the "I-70 Tax" of traffic congestion. Culturally, it is laid back and beer-centric, but some find it lacking in diversity and high-end dining compared to larger metros. The weather is a major standout feature, offering a sunny climate that appeals to those escaping the gloom of the PNW.
Resident Sentiment
Current residents, particularly transplants from the past few years, express a mix of deep appreciation for the geography and frustration with the city's infrastructure. Many feel they have "hacked" the system by earning high tech salaries in a place where they can buy a home, yet they frequently vent about the crowding in nature spots and the degradation of the downtown experience. There is a sense that the secret is out, and the city is bursting at the seams, but few regret the move when they look at the mountains on a sunny Tuesday.
Rankings
Top 7%
Net Income
#13
of 124 cities
$107,360/yr
Current value
Home Affordability
#24
of 124 cities
≈3.4 yrs to buy 80m²
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Denver compared to Tokyo?
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living.
$
