Austin wins overall by ~8% (COL index)
Cost of living: Austin vs Boulder (2026)
A $76,000 salary in Austin buys roughly what $82,230 does in Boulder (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$10,431/yr
Favoring Austin for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $869/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~18 months and still keep ~$104/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Austin Texas | Boulder Colorado | Who wins | Your impact at $76K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Wins | $1,800 | Austin wins +$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Austin |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800Wins | $2,300 | Austin wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Austin |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400Wins | $3,000 | Austin wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Austin |
| Median home price | $480KWins | $800K | Austin wins +$320K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 109 | Austin wins +11 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Wins | $17 | Austin wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Wins | $70 | Austin wins +$10/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $80 | Austin wins +$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.45 | Austin wins +$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175 | $140Wins | Boulder wins −$35/mo | $420/yr saves in Boulder |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170 | $138Wins | Boulder wins −$32/mo | $384/yr saves in Boulder |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $68 | Austin wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72K | $80KBetter | Boulder wins +$8K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.4% | Austin wins +4.4 pp | $3,344/yr saves in Austin |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3% | 8.0%Better | Boulder wins -0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Austin wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Wins | $55 | Austin wins +$15/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.50 | Austin wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 122Better | 132 | Austin wins +10 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42 | 52Wins | Boulder wins +10 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,348/yr tax difference into cash back
Austin fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Austin.
High-yield savings
Park ~$6,000/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin cheaper than Boulder?
Yes. Austin is 8% cheaper than Boulder based on overall cost of living indices (122 vs 132, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Austin vs Boulder?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800/month and in Boulder is $2,300/month. Austin is cheaper by 22%.
How much do I need to earn in Boulder to match a $75,000 salary in Austin?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $81,148/year in Boulder to match a $75,000 salary in Austin. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Austin or Boulder?
Austin has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.4%. Austin has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Austin to Boulder?
It depends on your priorities. Austin offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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