Denver and Seattle, two of the most up-and-coming cities in the Mountain West and Pacific Northwest regions, respectively, offer tremendous culture, nightlife, and economic opportunities. With both destinations possessing so many positive qualities, choosing between the two can become a daunting task.
This guide differentiates these two cities, focusing on housing costs, nightlife, transportation, and job opportunities. With this information in hand, you will equip yourself with the knowledge you need to choose the perfect location for your next apartment.
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Living in Seattle Vs. Denver
Cost of Living & Housing Market
Seattle:
The cost of living in Seattle is undeniably high, with the city ranking among the most expensive in the US. The average rent for an apartment in 2024 is around $2,230, and the median home price is approximately $800,000. Other costs of living, such as groceries and utilities, also exceed the national average.
Luckily, these high costs correspond largely to Seattle’s booming job market, particularly in the tech sector. If you can capitalize on the job opportunities the city provides, it may help mitigate these high costs.
Denver:
Denver’s cost of living ranks lower than Seattle’s, but still remains above the national average, with a median home price of $615,000 in 2024 and an average rent of around $2,000. Additional costs, such as groceries and utilities, are also more affordable than Seattle.
Despite a lower cost of living, Denver still offers a strong job market, with opportunities for high incomes in fields like tech and healthcare. For anyone focused primarily on cost of living, Denver makes a fine city of choice.
Lifestyle & Culture
Seattle:
Seattle’s access to both waterfront activities and mountainous natural beauty like Mt. Rainier creates a variety of options for outdoor activities. For bookworms seeking more sedentary recreation, Seattle offers more bookstores than any other city in the country.
In addition to being the birthplace of Starbucks, Seattle’s entrepreneurs operate tons of independent coffee shops, making it a mecca for coffee lovers.
Culture-wise, the Grunge scene that swept the 90s up with it started in Seattle, and music still maintains a strong grip on the community here, with Indie groups in particular flourishing.
Denver:
From hiking and biking to skiing and snowboarding, Denver is an ideal city for weekend warriors ready to take advantage of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Home to numerous professional sports teams, Denver hosts live games at any time of year.
For folks interested in nightlife, Denver’s craft brewing scene will appeal to beer enthusiasts of all stripes.
Job Market in Seattle Vs. Denver
Seattle:
Seattle boasts strong job growth and high salaries in numerous sectors, spurred in part by their lack of any corporate income tax. For those working in tech, healthcare, aerospace, or retail, Seattle is the place for you.
Denver:
Denver’s economy is more diverse than Seattle’s, with a heavier influence on work-life balance. Job growth in the city holds steady with competitive salaries, though both growth and salaries stay generally lower than in Seattle. Sectors like defense, energy, and biosciences are thriving in Denver.
Traffic & Public Transportation
Seattle:
Seattle earned a notorious reputation for its traffic, driven by its growing population and geographical constraints on its road infrastructure. The average commute is 30-35 minutes, though this timeframe depends highly on commute distance.
In line with its eco-friendly culture, Seattle tries to mitigate traffic with bike lanes, pedestrian paths, and public transportation. Their ferry system provides reliable transportation to waterfront locales, while inland travelers can use the light rail or streetcars.
Denver:
Denver experiences less severe traffic congestion than Seattle, with average commute times closer to 25 minutes and lower levels of congestion at peak hours. Bus lines, rail lines, and bike paths complement their extensive road infrastructure.
In terms of traffic, Denver is the clear winner between these two cities.
Things To Do
Seattle:
From waterfront parks like Discovery Park, to kitschier fare like the cat-filled bookstore Twice Sold Tales, to the rotating exhibits at the Frye Art Museum, Seattle entertains residents of all tastes. While more touristy, the Space Needle and surrounding museums (we especially love Chihuly Garden & Glass) as well as Pike Place Market provide plenty of fun for the locals, too.
Denver:
Denver’s reputation as an intersection of urban access and natural splendor manifests in the diverse activities available to its citizens. Red Rocks Amphitheatre offers beautiful hiking trails in addition to playing host to live music. You can catch a Rockies game at Coors Field, or drink a Coors while you catch a fish in the actual Rockies.
From their annual Great American Beer Festival to the Denver Art Museum, which exhibits an extensive collection of Native American art, Denver’s recreation scene reflects the diversity of its vibrant culture.
Food Scene in Seattle Vs. Denver
Seattle:
Seattle is home to a vast array of restaurants, with a particular focus on seafood due to its geography. Check out the iconic Pike Place Market for groceries and eateries, or seek out an upscale experience at the hyper-seasonal Off Alley. For a more casual experience, check out Un Bien where they serve up famous Caribbean sandwiches at an affordable price-point.
Denver:
Denver’s culinary scene dishes up some great options in a variety of styles at a range of price points that appease diners of all palettes and incomes.
On the higher end, look no further than the Michelin Star earning contemporary menu of The Wolf’s Tailor. For indigenous Osage cuisine in a fast-casual setting, head to the Berkeley neighborhood institution Tacobe: An American Indian Eatery. For stellar Thai food, head to Liang’s Thai Food whose wild success as a food truck on the 16th Street Mall led to an additional brick-and-mortar location opening in Broomfield.
Ready to Move to Denver?
With a competitive housing market, finding the perfect place may seem intimidating for people wanting to capitalize on everything Denver has to offer. Luckily, our incredible team at AptAmigo has the skills and resources to find you your perfect mountain home. Our experts will find the Mile-High match for you, free of charge!
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Melanie Robinson is a writer and poet from Texas. You can learn more about her and her copywriting business on her website.
