Austin vs Denver: Cost of Living, Taxes, Laws

Austin

Texas state data

Moderate tax burden · COL index 97

Wins 6 categories

Denver

Colorado state data

Moderate tax burden · COL index 110

Wins 6 categories

Data reflects Texas vs Colorado state-level figures.

Austin sits in Texas, which has no income tax, 6th highest property tax, median home $340K. Denver sits in Colorado, which has flat 4.4% income tax, 6th lowest property tax, median home $545K. Texas costs a median household about $360 a year less in state and local taxes than Colorado, mostly because it has no income tax. Read the full Texas vs Colorado comparison.

Texas

Colorado

Taxes

None

Income Tax (top rate)

4.4%

1.6%/yr

Property Tax Rate

0.48%/yr

8.19%

Sales Tax (avg)

7.76%

Taxes Social Security

Yes

Estate Tax

None

Capital Gains Tax

As income

Housing & Cost of Living

COL Index (100=avg)

110

$340K

Median Home Price

$545K

$1,600/mo

Median Rent (2BR/mo)

$1,850/mo

$3K/yr

Home Insurance (avg/yr)

$3K/yr

Crime & Safety

447

Violent Crime / 100K

453

2,478

Property Crime / 100K

2,859

Healthcare

#36 of 50

Healthcare Quality Rank

#9 of 50

76.3 yrs

Life Expectancy

78.8 yrs

18.4%

Uninsured Rate

7.4%

Medicaid Expansion

Yes

Education

#36 of 50

K-12 Quality Rank

#9 of 50

Yes

School Choice / Vouchers

Childcare

$1,050/mo

Avg Infant Care / mo

$1,600/mo

Utilities & Daily Costs

$145/mo

Avg Energy Bill / mo

$130/mo

$480/mo

Avg Groceries / mo

$530/mo

#31 of 50

Road Quality Rank

#30 of 50

Social Policy

Gun Laws Grade

A-

R+14.0

2024 Presidential Margin

D+11.0

Category wins

Austin

Denver

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