Denver, CO
Mountain access, a 4.4% flat income tax, and four real seasons.
Denver is a city people choose for the mountains as much as the money. For anyone moving from Los Angeles to Denver, the most recent Redfin data shows the typical Denver home selling for about $650K, versus about $904K for the typical LA County zip code. Colorado also has a flat income tax, which makes the tax side simpler to estimate.
The money picture
| Typical LA County zip | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $904K | $650K |
| Median price per sq ft | $588 | $367 |
| Median days on market | n/a | 21 |
| State income tax on wages | Progressive, top rate 13.3% | 4.4% flat rate (tax year 2026) |
Market figures: Redfin Data Center. Denver: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026. Medians are a rough guide and hide a wide range of homes. Tax rates as published by each state for tax year 2026; rates change, so verify with the state's revenue department.
The typical detached house in Denver sold for about $715K and the typical condo for about $335K. Price per square foot was about $367, against about $588 in LA. Denver has been a fairly quick market: a median of 21 days on market and an average sale price of about 99.1% of list price.
For LA owners, equity is the asset that drives the decision. With Denver's median near $650K and a typical LA County zip code around $904K, an LA sale can fund a purchase with a smaller loan, or leave proceeds in reserve after buying. Some sellers use the difference to move into a larger home or a newer build; others keep the size about the same and lower their monthly payment. Denver's price per square foot is closer to LA than many inland markets, so the savings tend to show up in the loan amount more than in a dramatically bigger house. The right answer depends on the home sold and the home bought.
Colorado has a 4.4% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Colorado's rate has been adjusted in recent years and proposals to change its structure have been discussed, so confirm the current rate with the Colorado Department of Revenue before planning around it.
On $250,000 of taxable income, 4.4% comes to about $11,000 in Colorado income tax. That is a simplified calculation: deductions, credits and filing status change the real figure, and someone moving mid-year typically files part-year returns in both California and Colorado. A CPA can run the actual numbers.
What people tend to weigh
- Climate. Sunny, dry and four-season, with snow that often melts quickly in the city and summer afternoon thunderstorms.
- Housing stock. Classic brick bungalows and Victorians in older neighborhoods, newer townhomes in the core, and suburban construction across the metro. Lot sizes and home styles shift a lot from one part of the region to the next, so many buyers tour several areas before narrowing down.
- Getting back. Denver International is a major hub with frequent nonstop flights to LA, roughly two and a half hours each way.
- Altitude and hail. At about a mile high, the thinner, drier air takes some adjustment, and spring hail is common enough that buyers often look at roof age and insurance terms closely.
More on the state: moving from California to Colorado. Comparing mountain-west cities? See the Salt Lake City guide.
Common questions
How much does a home cost in Denver compared with Los Angeles?
The typical Denver home sold for about $650K ($367 per square foot) in Redfin's May 2026 data, versus about $904K ($588 per square foot) for a typical LA County zip code. Medians hide a wide range of homes.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
4.4% flat rate (tax year 2026). California's top marginal rate is 13.3%. Tax rules change, so confirm current rates with the state's revenue department and a CPA.
How fast are homes selling in Denver?
Homes in Denver had a median of 21 days on market and sold for about 99.1% of list price on average (Redfin, May 2026).
What could $1 million from an LA sale buy in Denver?
As a rough illustration, $1 million at Denver's median of $367 per square foot works out to about 2,720 square feet, compared with about 1,700 at the LA median. Use the calculator on this page for your own numbers.
The move starts with the sale.
Before you land anywhere, your LA home has to sell, and how it sells sets your budget for everything after. The seller's playbook covers timing, California withholding at closing, transfer taxes and the questions to bring your CPA.