Austin vs Denver
Cost of Living (2026)

Austin is 7% less expensive than Denver. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Colorado's 4.55%.

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At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo ✓
Median home price$520K ✓
VS

Denver, CO

COL index118
State income tax4.55%
Avg 1BR rent$1,800/mo
Median home price$545K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexDenver indexDifference
Housing144 ✓154+10%
Groceries104 ✓112+8%
Transportation105 ✓112+7%
Healthcare107 ✓114+7%
Utilities104 ✓110+6%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Denver

What salary in Denver gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in DenverDifference
$60,000$69,000+$9,000
$80,000$92,000+$12,000
$100,000$115,000+$15,000
$130,000$149,000+$19,000
$150,000$172,000+$22,000
$200,000$229,000+$29,000

Austin vs Denver: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Denver, CO, Austin comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 110 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 7%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin workers an immediate 4.55% take-home pay advantage over Denver workers who pay Colorado's 4.55% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $545,000 in Denver. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,800/month in Denver.

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