Denver vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Denver has an edge
Denver currently favors renting, with better rent-to-price dynamics.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$675,000
Median RentBETTER
$2,350/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9
Property Tax RateBETTER
0.51%
Price Change (1Y)
+4.0%
Price Change (5Y)
+31.0%
Break-Even Years
14 years
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
$70,000
Median Home Price
$770,000
Median Rent
$2,850/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
22.5
Property Tax Rate
0.73%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+5.3%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+39.0%
Break-Even YearsBETTER
13 years
10-Year Wealth Difference
$80,000
Key Differences
Home Prices
Denver's median home price of $675,000 is lower than Los Angeles's $770,000 by 12%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Denver costs $2,350/mo compared to $2,850/mo in Los Angeles—a difference of $500/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor renting.
Break-Even Timeline
Buying breaks even in 14 years in Denver vs 13 years in Los Angeles.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.