Quick answer
Austin is 33% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $67,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Austin Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 33% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-5% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$67,000
Denver vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$1,650/mo
-5%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$2,100/mo
-7%
Median home price
$565K
$548K
-3%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$380
+3%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$175
+21%
State income tax
4.4%
None
Austin saves
Walk score
61/100
41/100
Denver better
Transit score
44/100
34/100
Denver better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$40,000
$89,000
$80,000
$54,000
$119,000
$100,000
$67,000
$149,000
$120,000
$80,000
$179,000
$150,000
$101,000
$224,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Denver vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Denver or Austin cheaper to live in?
Austin is 33% cheaper than Denver overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Austin to match $100K in Denver?
$67,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-5% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Austin?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (-5%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (-7%).
Does Denver or Austin have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,400.