same $100k income, fresh start from Tampa

change
Denver, CO cityscape

swapping out of tampa

Denver

co · metro 3.0M

photo: Noel Aph / pexels

a dispatch from

denver

CO

39.74°N

104.98°W

Denver is a mile above sea level, an hour from a dozen ski resorts, and surrounded by mountains that make every west-facing window feel like a vacation. The air is dry, the sun shows up roughly 300 days a year, and craft beer is taken seriously enough to have its own annual pilgrimage (the Great American Beer Festival). Green chile is a hill people will die on. The patio season is essentially eternal.

metro3.0M

in our guides

#4

of 10

Best cities for remote workers

read the guide
#7

of 10

Cheap cities with serious airports

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for food and nightlife

read the guide
#4

of 10

Affordable cities near national parks and wilderness

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities for young professionals

read the guide
#9

of 10

Most walkable cities in America

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best affordable cities to live car-free

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities for families who love the outdoors

read the guide
#7

of 10

Best cities for couples

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for live music and arts

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for health and wellness

read the guide
#3

of 10

Most livable cities in America

read the guide
#10

of 10

Best cities for mild four-season weather

read the guide
#3

of 10

Biggest cities you can actually afford

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best places to move in 2026

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities for parks and green space

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for work-life balance

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best affordable cities in the Mountain West

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities for a $150k salary

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities for digital nomads

read the guide
#8

of 10

Best cities to live in your 30s

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$233

pricier each month than Tampa

Denver costs more than Tampa, and you'll feel it. The upside has to come from somewhere other than your budget.
landable, recorded on the denver entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$1,863/mo

7% cheaper than Tampa(vs $1,996/mo)

02state income tax

4.4%

$367/mo more in state tax than Tampa

vs 0% in Tampa

03after rent

$6,104/mo

$233 less than Tampa

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$599k

60% more expensive than Tampa

vs $374k in Tampa

05metro size

3.0M

vs 3.3M in Tampa

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

174

pleasant days a year, in denver.

Tampa gets 243 pleasant days a year, so you'd be trading some sunshine. Winter asks for something in return: 66 days under 20° here, 0 in Tampa.

Nights and weekends fill up faster. 9.5× more on the calendar than Tampa.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

85/100

37% higher than Tampa

vs 62/100 in Tampa

Closest outdoor draw: Rocky Mountain National Park, 47.3 mi.

·walk score®

97/100

5% higher than Tampa

vs 92/100 in Tampa

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

169

149% more than Tampa

vs 68 nonstops in Tampa

04 · see also

if denver appeals, also worth a look:

see also

boulder

better weather

turn the page

see also

las vegas

$498/mo cheaper

turn the page

see also

washington

better weather

turn the page

compare denver with:

BoulderLas VegasWashington