Quick answer
Austin costs $50/month less overall ($2,205 vs $2,255/mo). Austin also has lower state income tax (None vs 4.4%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Denver
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Austin vs Denver at a Glance
| Metric | Austin | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 ✓ | $2,250 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,100 ✓ | $2,250 |
| Median Home Price | $548K ✓ | $565K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $380 | $370 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,205 ✓ | $2,255 |
| Walk Score | 41/100 | 61/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 34/100 | 44/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 4.4% |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Austin's 1BR averages $1,650/month vs $1,740 in Denver — a $90/month difference, or $1,080/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Austin charges None state income tax vs 4.4% in Denver. On an $80K salary that's a $3,520/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $5,280 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Austin are $548K vs $565K in Denver. At a 20% down payment, that's a $3,400 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Austin utilities run $30 more per month than Denver. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Austin, TX
Austin is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Denver, CO
Denver's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Austin
300+ sunny days; summers run 100–110°F for 60+ days June–September; mild short winters; ERCOT grid has blackout history in extreme weather
Denver
300 sunny days; dry winters with periodic snow (rarely extreme cold); hot low-humidity summers; 5,280 ft altitude affects nearly all newcomers for the first 1–3 weeks
Job Market
Austin top industries
Denver top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Austin if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a young professionals
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a musicians
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Denver if…
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a skiers
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a craft beer lovers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Denver cheaper to live in?
Austin is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $2,205 in Austin vs $2,255 in Denver — a $50/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Austin or Denver?
Denver is more walkable with a Walk Score of 61/100 vs 41/100. Austin is more car-dependent.
Austin vs Denver: which has lower state income tax?
Austin has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $3,520/year vs Denver (4.4%).
Is Austin or Denver better for buying a home?
Austin has lower median home prices at $548K vs $565K in Denver — a $17,000 difference on the median home.