Relocation Guide · 2026
Moving from Austin to Denver
Salary adjustment, rent comparison, taxes, and cost-of-living breakdown
Salary Equivalency
$100k in Austin = $109k in Denver
Denver is 8.6% more expensive than Austin overall
1.28
COL Index (From)
Austin
1.39
COL Index (To)
Denver
$1,800/mo
1BR Rent (From)
Austin
$1,900/mo
1BR Rent (To)
Denver
Salary Adjustment Calculator
How much you need to earn in Denver to match your current Austin salary
| Austin Salary | Take-Home (TX) | Equiv. in Denver | Take-Home (CO) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248/yr 16.25% eff. rate | $65,156 | $51,356/yr 21.18% eff. rate | +$5,156 |
| $80,000 | $64,666/yr 19.17% eff. rate | $86,875 | $65,679/yr 24.4% eff. rate | +$6,875 |
| $100,000 | $78,736/yr 21.26% eff. rate | $108,594 | $80,003/yr 26.33% eff. rate | +$8,594 |
| $120,000 | $92,773/yr 22.69% eff. rate | $130,313 | $94,088/yr 27.8% eff. rate | +$10,313 |
| $150,000 | $113,278/yr 24.48% eff. rate | $162,891 | $114,922/yr 29.45% eff. rate | +$12,891 |
| $200,000 | $148,935/yr 25.53% eff. rate | $217,188 | $151,647/yr 30.18% eff. rate | +$17,188 |
Positive difference = you need a higher salary in Denver to maintain purchasing power. Negative = Denver is cheaper and your purchasing power improves at the same salary.
Rent Comparison
Studio
Austin
$1,400/mo
Denver
$1,480/mo
+5.7% in Denver
1-Bedroom
Austin
$1,800/mo
Denver
$1,900/mo
+5.6% in Denver
2-Bedroom
Austin
$2,300/mo
Denver
$2,400/mo
+4.3% in Denver
Family (3-4BR)
Austin
$3,060/mo
Denver
$3,190/mo
+4.2% in Denver
Frequently Asked Questions
How much salary do I need in Denver to match my Austin income?
$100k in Austin = $109k in Denver. Denver has a cost-of-living index of 1.39 vs 1.28 for Austin (1.00 = US average). That's a 8.6% increase in overall living costs.
How does rent compare between Austin and Denver?
A 1-bedroom apartment in Austin averages $1,800/month, while the same in Denver runs $1,900/month — that's 5.6% more in Denver. For a 2-bedroom, expect $2,300/month in Austin vs $2,400/month in Denver.
How does state income tax change when moving from Austin to Denver?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736/year in TX (effective rate: 21.26%). The equivalent salary in CO is $108,594, giving you $80,003/year (effective rate: 26.33%).
Is moving from Austin to Denver a good financial decision?
Denver is 8.6% more expensive than Austin. You would need a salary increase of approximately 8.6% to maintain the same standard of living. If your new salary offer doesn't account for this cost difference, your real purchasing power will decline.