Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
28% cheaper
Austin is 28% more affordable than Boulder. A $75,000 salary in Boulder is equivalent to $54,223 in Austin.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Colorado salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Boulder sits at 230 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $750,000 in Boulder, a difference of $320,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $2,300 in Boulder.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Austin scores 96 while Boulder scores 107.
Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Boulder (104). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $73,123 in Boulder. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Austin.
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