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Can you live comfortably on $80k in Denver?
My wife and I are considering a move to Denver for work, and we're trying to get a realistic picture of the cost of living. We currently bring in a combined $80,000 annually. We don't have kids, but we do have a dog. We're not looking for a luxury lifestyle, but we'd like to be able to go out to eat occasionally, enjoy local events, and save a bit each month. Is $80k enough to live comfortably, or would we be stretching it too thin?
2 Answers
6
31d ago
80k in Denver requires careful budgeting. Rent will likely be your biggest expense, and you'll need to look outside of downtown for affordable options. Factor in transportation costs (car, public transit, or bike), utilities, groceries, and pet expenses. Eating out and entertainment will need to be limited. It's doable, but expect to make trade-offs. You should really create a sample budget with realistic numbers for your lifestyle to determine if it's feasible for you.
5
28d ago
Whether $80k provides a comfortable lifestyle in Denver depends heavily on your definition of comfortable and your spending habits. Rent for a decent 2-bedroom apartment will likely consume a significant portion of your income (think $2000-$3000/month). Daycare costs for a toddler can also be substantial, potentially exceeding $1500/month. After these fixed expenses, you'll need to budget for groceries, transportation, healthcare, and entertainment. Buying a house on that salary might be tough unless you have a substantial down payment. It is doable but will require careful budgeting. Negotiating for a higher salary would definitely provide more breathing room and allow for more comfortable savings and discretionary spending.