Austin vs Denver: Which Tech City Wins in 2025?
Compare two of America's fastest-growing tech hubs across cost of living, career opportunities, and quality of life.
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1BR Apartment) | $2,100/month | $2,400/month | Austin 14% higher in Denver |
| Housing (3BR House) | $2,800/month | $3,200/month | Austin 14% higher in Denver |
| State Income Tax | 0% | 4.4% | Austin Major tax advantage |
| Groceries | $380/month | $400/month | Austin 5% higher in Denver |
| Transportation | $380/month (car) | $420/month (car) | Austin Both car-dependent |
| Utilities | $180/month | $160/month | Denver AC costs in Austin |
💰 Tax Advantage
Austin's lack of state income tax can save you $2,200-$6,600 annually compared to Denver's 4.4% state tax, depending on your income level.
Tech Industry Salary Comparison
Average Salary Ranges by Role (2025)
Austin Tech Scene
- • Major campuses: Apple, Google, Tesla, Oracle
- • Strong startup ecosystem
- • Lower cost of talent acquisition
- • "Silicon Hills" tech corridor
- • SXSW interactive conference
Denver Tech Scene
- • Growing tech hub with Google, Twitter
- • Strong aerospace industry (Lockheed, Ball)
- • Proximity to Boulder tech corridor
- • Remote work friendly culture
- • Emerging fintech and healthtech
Quality of Life Comparison
Cost of Living Index
Austin
98 (2% below US avg)
Denver
115 (15% above US avg)
Winner
Austin
Weather
Austin
Hot summers, mild winters
Denver
Four seasons, 300+ sunny days
Winner
Personal preference
Outdoor Activities
Austin
Lakes, parks, greenbelts
Denver
Mountains, skiing, hiking
Winner
Personal preference
Public Transit
Austin
Limited, improving
Denver
Light rail, bus system
Winner
Denver
Food Scene
Austin
BBQ, food trucks, Tex-Mex
Denver
Farm-to-table, craft beer
Winner
Different strengths
Music & Culture
Austin
Live music capital
Denver
Arts district, breweries
Winner
Austin
Neighborhood Guide
Austin Neighborhoods
Downtown
Rent: $2,500-3,500
Urban, walkable, nightlife
South Austin
Rent: $1,800-2,800
Hip, foodie, music venues
North Austin
Rent: $1,600-2,400
Tech corridor, family-friendly
East Austin
Rent: $1,900-2,700
Trendy, artistic, gentrifying
Denver Neighborhoods
Downtown
Rent: $2,200-3,200
Urban, sports venues, dining
Capitol Hill
Rent: $1,800-2,600
Artsy, nightlife, walkable
Tech Center
Rent: $1,900-2,800
Suburban, tech companies
RiNo
Rent: $2,000-2,900
Arts district, trendy, developing
Climate & Lifestyle Deep Dive
Austin Climate & Culture
Denver Climate & Culture
Calculate Your Move
Compare specific costs and salary requirements for your situation.
Austin → DenverDenver → AustinDecision Matrix
Choose Austin if you:
- • Want lower overall costs
- • Prefer no state income tax
- • Love live music scene
- • Enjoy warm weather year-round
- • Want established tech ecosystem
Choose Denver if you:
- • Love outdoor mountain activities
- • Prefer four distinct seasons
- • Want better public transit
- • Enjoy craft beer culture
- • Value proximity to nature
Austin vs Denver FAQ
Austin is generally 10-15% more affordable than Denver overall. Housing costs are comparable, but Austin has no state income tax while Colorado has a 4.4% state income tax. This tax advantage makes Austin more attractive for higher earners.