Houston vs Denver
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 30% less expensive than Denver. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Colorado's 4.55%.

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At a glance

Houston, TX

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

Denver, CO

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexDenver indexDifference
Housing118 ✓154+36%
Groceries87 ✓112+25%
Transportation88 ✓112+24%
Healthcare88 ✓114+26%
Utilities89 ✓110+21%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Denver

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in DenverDifference
$60,000$83,000+$23,000
$80,000$111,000+$31,000
$100,000$139,000+$39,000
$130,000$180,000+$50,000
$150,000$208,000+$58,000
$200,000$277,000+$77,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Denver, CO, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 118 for Denver — a difference of approximately 30%.

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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $545,000 in Denver. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,800/month in Denver.

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