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Austin

Texas state data

Moderate tax burden · COL index 97

Wins 6 categories

VS

Denver

Colorado state data

Moderate tax burden · COL index 110

Wins 6 categories

Data reflects Texas vs Colorado state-level figures. City-specific data coming soon.

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%
Yes
Social Security Tax
No
Yes
Estate Tax
Yes
None
Capital Gains Tax
As income

Housing & Cost of Living

97
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%
No
Medicaid Expansion
Yes

Education

#36 of 50
K-12 Quality Rank
#9 of 50
Yes
School Choice / Vouchers
No

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

F
Gun Laws Grade
A-
R+14.0
2024 Presidential Margin
D+11.0

Category wins

6

Austin

6

Denver

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People Also Ask

Should I live in Austin or Denver?

Texas has no state income tax; Colorado charges 4.4% -- a significant gap for remote workers earning higher salaries. Childcare in Austin averages $8,759 per year for a child under 3 versus $13,154 in Denver. Austin wins on cost, taxes, and home size; Denver wins on outdoor recreation access and cooler summers.

Is $100,000 a good salary in Austin?

Is it better to live in Texas or Colorado?

Is $120000 a good salary in Denver?

Explore Texas in depth →Explore Colorado in depth →

Your Priorities

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Quick Profiles

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Annual Income

$150K

Affects effective income tax rate

$0$500K$5M+

Retirement Savings

$0

Affects pension and SS tax burden

None$500K$10M+

Social Security

None

Annual Social Security benefit

None$150K/yr

My Property Is Worth

$400K

Affects property tax burden

Tax burden ↓$1M$50M+

Home Buying Budget

$400K

Compared to state median home price

Hard to find$250K$5M+

Monthly Rent Budget

Don't care

Compared to state median 2BR rent

Don't care$10K/mo

Job Market

Don't care

State unemployment and job growth

Don't careHot market

Airport Access

Don't care

Direct flight destinations from state hubs

Don't careMust have hub

City vs Country

Mid-size city

% urban population

Deep countryBig city

Sunshine

Don't care

Annual sunny days per state

Don't careMax sunshine

Food Scene

Don't care

Restaurants per 100K residents

Don't careWorld-class

Political Preference

Neutral

State's political lean

LiberalConservative

Gun Laws

Neutral

State gun law grade (Giffords)

Gun Control2A Freedom

Abortion Access

Neutral

State abortion access policy

Pro-ChoiceNeutralPro-Life

Community

None

Congregations per 100K residents

AvoidDon't careSeek

Sports & Entertainment

Don't care

Pro sports teams and major venues

Don't careMust have pro teams

Cannabis Laws

Neutral

State cannabis legality

Prefer LegalNeutralPrefer Prohibition

Retiree Community

Neutral

% population 65+ (Census)

Young areaRetirement-heavy

Dating Market

Neutral

% adults never-married (Census)

Singles sceneFamily community

Safety / Low Crime

Don't care

Violent crime rate per 100K (FBI)

Don't careVery safe

School Quality

Don't care

K-12 rank (Education Week)

Don't careTop-ranked

Healthcare Access

Don't care

Healthcare system rank (Commonwealth Fund)

Don't careTop-ranked