image of denver vs. nyc homes for 800k

Denver vs. NYC: For $800K, which home would you pick? Let’s consider the options.

As we all know far too well, living in New York City can get quite expensive. To call Gotham home, New Yorkers often sacrifice household features that people in other places take for granted — like air, sunlight, and usable closets.

But just how much sacrifice are we making? To answer that question, let’s consider what an $800,000 home looks like in NYC, and what it looks like in … Denver.

Comparing $800K Homes in Denver vs. NYC

Why Denver? Well, the capital of Colorado is scenic and urbane and has a good food scene, for starters. But is that — and the prospect of a real backyard — enough to make you consider leaving the capital of the world? Let’s look at the homes and find out.

What You Get in Denver: A Roomy, Chic 2BR With Roof Deck and Yard

  • Address: 2846 Champa St.
  • Neighborhood: Curtis Park
  • Square feet: 2,277
  • Beds and baths: 2 beds, 3 baths
  • Built: 2019
  • Price per square foot: $351
  • Estimated monthly cost: About $3,713

This Denver home has a sweet location in a historic, desirable neighborhood in the heart of Denver. It’s a 2,277-square-foot, newly built townhouse with sleek appliances and updated finishes. It even gives off loft-like vibes with its modern iron staircase and the barn door in the bedroom. Plus, the private backyard and roof deck provide ample opportunity to take in Denver’s gorgeous mountain panoramas.

What You Get in NYC: A Cozy 2BR Condo in Clinton Hill

  • Address: 187 Gates Ave. #2
  • Neighborhood: Clinton Hill
  • Square feet: 701
  • Beds and baths: 2 beds, 2 baths
  • Built: Circa 1900
  • Price per square foot: $1,139
  • Estimated monthly cost: About $3,970

Here’s a classic Brooklyn brownstone unit with a contemporary feel. This condo has been gut-renovated to emphasize its oversized windows and high ceilings, with nice custom touches like spa-style bathrooms and the kitchen’s stone backsplash. Though there’s no backyard, the building does offer a common rooftop with great views.

Denver Vs. NYC: Which Comes Out on Top?

Price: Though both of these homes have the same asking price, the fact that the Denver home is three times larger than the Brooklyn one makes a big difference. The Denver 2-bedroom is asking $351 per square foot, while the New York place is going for $1,139 per square foot.

The monthly costs are worth considering, too. Common charges and taxes on the Brooklyn pad come to $852 per month, while the Denver place incurs no additional fees beyond its monthly tax burden of $353.

Neighborhoods: Clinton Hill is a historic, sought-after neighborhood in central Brooklyn that’s filled with leafy streets and elegant brownstones. The median sales price is currently $965,000. Similarly, Curtis Park, Denver’s oldest residential neighborhood, features beautiful historic homes and sits in a popular location near the River North Art District. Its median sales price is currently $497,400.

Best features: The Denver home offers plenty of space, including the private backyard you’ll rarely find in NYC. It’s located within a picturesque, culturally vibrant area, and is asking far above the neighborhood median.

The Brooklyn apartment is priced more than $100,000 below its neighborhood median and, though snug, is charming and functional — it’s got an in-unit washer and dryer, along with a dishwasher. The four-unit townhouse building features a shared roof deck with sweeping Manhattan views.

The verdict: For the same amount of money, you could flee NYC and still end up with a stylish, urban home in walkable neighborhood. Or you could live in lovely Brooklyn and savor your dual bathrooms, roof deck, and in-unit laundry — features that would make most New Yorkers salivate.

So is more bang for your buck worth leaving the big city? Tell us what you think in the comments.

—
Inspired to find your next place in New York? Whether you’re looking to rent or to buy, search NYC apartments on StreetEasy.