City comparison · Rent & affordability
Austin vs Denver: rent and cost of living
Median rent in Austin ($2,000) is 5% higher than in Denver ($1,900). But raw rent isn't the whole picture — what you earn locally determines how much pressure that rent actually puts on your budget.
Austin
Confidence: medium
Denver
Confidence: medium
What renters actually spend (% of income)
Austin
Denver
These are what renters actually pay — not recommended targets.
Salary needed for median rent (30% rule)
Austin requires $4,000 more per year to comfortably cover median rent.
Affordability verdict
Austin and Denver are equally demanding on renters' budgets — the median renter in both cities spends 30% of gross income on rent. The choice between them comes down to which city better matches your career, lifestyle preferences, and tolerance for the local housing market.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin cheaper than Denver to rent in?
They are roughly equal. Renters in both cities spend around 30% of gross income on housing.
What salary do you need to rent in Austin vs Denver?
To comfortably afford median rent at the 30% rule, you need $80,000/year in Austin and $76,000/year in Denver.
What is the average rent in Austin compared to Denver?
Median 1-bedroom rent is $2,000/month in Austin and $1,900/month in Denver. Budget options (bottom 10%) start at $1,100 and $1,100 respectively.
Explore Austin in detail
Explore Denver in detail
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