Cost of Living: Austin vs Denver (2026)

Austin vs Denver cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Denver is about 8% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $107,868 in Denver.

Denver is about 8% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $107,868 in Denver.

Austin vs Denver: the numbers

MetricAustinDenverDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)98106+8%
Median rent$1,655$1,770+7%
Median home value$512,700$586,700+14%
Median household income$91,461$91,681+0%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $107,868 in Denver. Going the other way, $100,000 in Denver is like $92,706 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and Denver.

Compare any salary: Austin vs Denver

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Denver is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 106 vs 98 — a 8% difference. Your money goes further in Austin.

About $107,868 — that's what you'd need in Denver to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.