Denver vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

Dallas is 19% 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

Dallas, TX

COL index96 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo ✓
Median home price$340K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDenver indexDallas indexDifference
Housing154125 ✓-29%
Groceries11291 ✓-21%
Transportation11292 ✓-20%
Healthcare11493 ✓-21%
Utilities11093 ✓-17%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: Denver → Dallas

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

Salary in DenverEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$46,000$-14,000
$80,000$61,000$-19,000
$100,000$76,000$-24,000
$130,000$99,000$-31,000
$150,000$114,000$-36,000
$200,000$152,000$-48,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Denver, CO and Dallas, TX, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 19%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Dallas 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 $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,800/month in Denver versus $1,380/month in Dallas.

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