Austin vs Denver

Cost of living and salary reality, side by side. At $60-80k, $70,000 in Austin feels like approximately $83,044 in Denver.

Data: 2026-Q2 · BLS · HUD · KFF

Your $60-80k in Austin feels like $83,044 in Denver. Moving would increase your purchasing power by 19%.

Income
Housing

Austin

Denver

Breathing Room
 
Housing Pressure
moderate
 
moderate
1BR Rent
$1,562/mo
 
$1,754/mo
State Tax
No income tax
 
CO tax applies
Take-Home /mo
$4,803
 
$4,546
Remote Work Fit
Austin is frequently explored by remote workers leaving coastal metros. The no-state-income-tax advantage is meaningful, though housing costs have risen toward moderate pressure levels.
 
Denver is a premier remote work destination — mountain access, 300 days of sunshine, strong tech community, and housing costs well below Bay Area or Seattle comparables. The trade-off is that costs have risen meaningfully from the 'hidden gem' era of 2010–2016.
Walk Score
42
 
61
Comfortable
$60-80k · Austin vs Denver
Income Reality Check

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Curious what a raise — or a different path — would change?

THEN — $60-80k
NOW — $60-80k
~$4,803/mo take-home

At $60-80k in Austin, your picture shifts from comfortable toward comfortable.

No city is objectively better. Austin and Denver each fit different priorities — the right one depends on what you're building toward.

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Austin vs DallasAustin vs NashvilleAustin vs Seattle
Austin profile Denver profile Run Reality Check →
FAQ

Austin vs Denver — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Austin or Denver?

HUD FY2026 1BR Fair Market Rent is $1,562/mo in Austin and $1,754/mo in Denver. Austin has lower median housing costs. Source: HUD FY2026 FMR.

How much do I need to earn in Denver to match Austin?

At a $60-80k income, $70,000 in Austin feels like approximately $83,044 in Denver — a gain of about 19% in purchasing power.

What is the state tax difference between Austin and Denver?

Austin is in TX (no state income tax) and Denver is in CO (CO levies income tax). Source: Tax Foundation 2025.

Which city has more breathing room?

Breathing room depends on your income and housing situation. Use the interactive comparison above to see how each city's picture changes across income bands.

Income Reality Check is an educational tool, not financial advice. Your situation has more dimensions than any tool can capture.