Denver vs Austin — side-by-side
Cost of living: Denver vs Austin (2026)
A $73,500 salary in Denver buys roughly what $73,500 does in Austin (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
−$5,437/yr
Favoring Austin for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $453/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~34 months and still keep ~$54/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 | Denver Colorado | Austin Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $74K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,600 | $1,500Better | Austin wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Austin |
| 1BR rent/mo | $2,000 | $1,800Better | Austin wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Austin |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,700 | $2,400Better | Austin wins −$300/mo | $3,600/yr saves in Austin |
| Median home price | $530K | $480KBetter | Austin wins −$50K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 98Better | Austin wins -4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $14Better | Austin wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $65 | $60Better | Austin wins −$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $114 | $50Wins | Austin wins −$64/mo | $768/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30 | $3.10Better | Austin wins −$0.20 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $155Better | $175 | Denver wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Denver |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $140Wins | $170 | Denver wins +$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Denver |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $75KBetter | $72K | Denver wins −$3K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4% | 0.0%Wins | Austin wins -4.4 pp | $3,234/yr saves in Austin |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.8% | 8.3%Better | Austin wins -0.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $15.00Better | Austin wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $50 | $40Wins | Austin wins −$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 122Better | 122 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 60Wins | 42 | Denver wins -18 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,240/yr tax difference into cash back
Denver 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 Denver.
High-yield savings
Park ~$2,400/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
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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.
Austin (no state income tax) and Denver (4.4% flat rate) are two of the most-searched destinations for Bay Area and NYC transplants. Denver's outdoor access and mountain proximity command a lifestyle premium; Austin's music, food, and tech culture do the same. Both carry similar overall cost pressure heading into 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Denver vs Austin?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Denver is $2,000/month and in Austin is $1,800/month. Denver is more expensive by 11%.
How much do I need to earn in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Denver?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Austin to match a $75,000 salary in Denver. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Denver or Austin?
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 Denver to Austin?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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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Salary equivalent: Denver ↔ Austin
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