Denver vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 23% 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

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryDenver indexHouston indexDifference
Housing154118 ✓-36%
Groceries11287 ✓-25%
Transportation11288 ✓-24%
Healthcare11488 ✓-26%
Utilities11089 ✓-21%

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

Salary equivalency: Denver → Houston

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

Salary in DenverEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$43,000$-17,000
$80,000$58,000$-22,000
$100,000$72,000$-28,000
$130,000$94,000$-36,000
$150,000$108,000$-42,000
$200,000$144,000$-56,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Denver, CO and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 23%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston 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 $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,800/month in Denver versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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