Denver vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

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

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At a glance

Denver, CO

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

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDenver indexAustin indexDifference
Housing154144 ✓-10%
Groceries112104 ✓-8%
Transportation112105 ✓-7%
Healthcare114107 ✓-7%
Utilities110104 ✓-6%

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

Salary equivalency: Denver → Austin

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

Salary in DenverEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$52,000$-8,000
$80,000$70,000$-10,000
$100,000$87,000$-13,000
$130,000$113,000$-17,000
$150,000$131,000$-19,000
$200,000$174,000$-26,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Denver, CO and Austin, TX, 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 Denver is $545,000, compared to $520,000 in Austin. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,800/month in Denver versus $1,650/month in Austin.

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