Denver vs Fort Worth
Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth is 21% 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

Fort Worth, TX

COL index93 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo ✓
Median home price$315K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDenver indexFort Worth indexDifference
Housing154121 ✓-33%
Groceries11289 ✓-23%
Transportation11290 ✓-22%
Healthcare11490 ✓-24%
Utilities11091 ✓-19%

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

Salary equivalency: Denver → Fort Worth

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

Salary in DenverEquivalent in Fort WorthDifference
$60,000$44,000$-16,000
$80,000$59,000$-21,000
$100,000$74,000$-26,000
$130,000$96,000$-34,000
$150,000$111,000$-39,000
$200,000$147,000$-53,000

Denver vs Fort Worth: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Denver, CO and Fort Worth, TX, Fort Worth comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 93 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 21%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Fort Worth 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 $315,000 in Fort Worth. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,800/month in Denver versus $1,280/month in Fort Worth.

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