Quick answer
Houston is 101% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Houston is equivalent to $201,000 in Denver.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Houston vs Denver Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Houston is 101% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+36% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$201,000
Houston vs Denver: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,280/mo
$1,740/mo
+36%
2BR median rent
$1,620/mo
$2,250/mo
+39%
Median home price
$305K
$565K
+85%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$370
+6%
Avg monthly utilities
$190
$145
-24%
State income tax
None
4.4%
Houston saves
Walk score
48/100
61/100
Denver better
Transit score
36/100
44/100
Denver better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to maintain the same standard of living as your current Houston salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$120,000
$30,000
$80,000
$160,000
$40,000
$100,000
$201,000
$50,000
$120,000
$241,000
$60,000
$150,000
$301,000
$75,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Houston vs Denver
Who Each City Is Best For
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
FAQs
Is Houston or Denver cheaper to live in?
Houston is 101% cheaper than Denver overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Denver to match $100K in Houston?
$201,000 in Denver is equivalent to $100,000 in Houston based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+36% difference) and state taxes (Houston: None vs Denver: 4.4%).
What is the rent difference between Houston and Denver?
1BR: Houston $1,280/mo vs Denver $1,740/mo (+36%). 2BR: Houston $1,620/mo vs Denver $2,250/mo (+39%).
Does Houston or Denver have lower taxes?
Houston (TX) has None state income tax. Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,400.