Quick answer
Houston is 50% cheaper than Denver overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $50,000 in Houston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Houston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Houston is 50% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-26% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$50,000
Denver vs Houston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$1,280/mo
-26%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$1,620/mo
-28%
Median home price
$565K
$305K
-46%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$350
-5%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$190
+31%
State income tax
4.4%
None
Houston saves
Walk score
61/100
48/100
Denver better
Transit score
44/100
36/100
Denver better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Houston to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$30,000
$120,000
$80,000
$40,000
$160,000
$100,000
$50,000
$201,000
$120,000
$60,000
$241,000
$150,000
$75,000
$301,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Denver vs Houston
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
FAQs
Is Denver or Houston cheaper to live in?
Houston is 50% cheaper than Denver overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs Denver ($1,740/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs Denver $565K.
How much salary do I need in Houston to match $100K in Denver?
$50,000 in Houston is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-26% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Houston: None).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Houston?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Houston $1,280/mo (-26%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Houston $1,620/mo (-28%).
Does Denver or Houston have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Houston (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,400.