City comparison
Denver vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Denver (123.4) and Austin (116.9).
Denver Index
123.4
Austin Index
116.9
Denver Rent
$2,900
Austin Rent
$2,675
Denver Home price
$549,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Denver to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$93,785
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Denver and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Denver | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 159 | 146 | -13.0 (-8.2%) |
| Groceries | 108 | 103 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
| Transportation | 105 | 102 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
| Healthcare | 102 | 99 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 98 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 108 | 104 | -4.0 (-3.7%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,610 / $5,310
Denver / Austin
Couple
$9,310 / $8,810
Denver / Austin
Family
$13,130 / $12,430
Denver / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Denver city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Denver.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.