City comparison
Austin vs Denver Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Denver (123.4).
Austin Index
116.9
Denver Index
123.4
Austin Rent
$2,675
Denver Rent
$2,900
Austin Home price
$484,000
Denver Home price
$549,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Denver.
Equivalent salary in Denver
$99,227
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Denver.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Denver | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 159 | +13.0 (+8.9%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 108 | +5.0 (+4.9%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 105 | +3.0 (+2.9%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 102 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 97 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 108 | +4.0 (+3.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $5,610
Austin / Denver
Couple
$8,810 / $9,310
Austin / Denver
Family
$12,430 / $13,130
Austin / Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
View Denver city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Denver.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.