Salary Needed to Live in Denver as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $72,514/year to live comfortably in Denver, CO, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $72,514/year to live comfortably in Denver, CO. The bare-minimum salary is $62,581/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $4,297.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,807/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $6,043/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$72,514
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$62,581
$5,215/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,807
7% above national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Denver
| Expense | Denver | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,282 | $1,351 | -5% |
| Groceries | $344 | $207 | +66% |
| Utilities | $169 | $169 | 0% |
| Transportation | $361 | $316 | +14% |
| Car Insurance | $190 | $215 | -12% |
| Health Insurance | $635 | $642 | -1% |
| Internet | $83 | $65 | +28% |
| Phone | $109 | $85 | +28% |
| Dining & Social | $384 | $300 | +28% |
| Entertainment | $154 | $120 | +28% |
| Personal Care | $96 | $75 | +28% |
| Total Monthly | $3,807 | $3,545 | +7% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,807
Target savings (10%):$490/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$4,297
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$72,514
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,282
Studio/1BR rent is 34% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus CO state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$490/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
128/100
Denver is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,282/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $826/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $62,581/year as the survival floor and $72,514/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Denver
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Denver?
A single person needs approximately $72,514/year ($6,043/month gross) to live comfortably in Denver with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Denver?
A studio/1br in Denver costs approximately $1,282/month, which is the largest single expense at 34% of the total budget.
Is Denver affordable for a single person?
Denver is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.