Austin TX vs Denver CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Denver
713,734
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Denver
13.9%
White
Austin
59.9%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Denver
8.8%
Denver +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Denver
27.9%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 713,734 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.2 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.9% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 7.5% | 8.8% | Denver + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 3.6% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 27.9% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.6% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 55.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $541,899 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 512 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3234 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Denver
13.3%
Denver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.3% | Denver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 25.9% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.2% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Denver
75.0%
Denver +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Denver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.4 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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