Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Denver-Aurora-Centennial

Cost of Living Comparison

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$22,224
Net Income $40,535

To match your lifestyle in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, you'd need:

$85,767

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos 126.4
Denver-Aurora-Centennial 146.1
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos $32,079
Denver-Aurora-Centennial $24,135

Denver-Aurora-Centennial

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,679
Rent (2BR) -$25,068
Net Income $35,253

To match your lifestyle in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, you'd need:

$57,655

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $5,282 more per year in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos compared to Denver-Aurora-Centennial. You'd pay $2,438 more in taxes in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, while housing costs 13% more. The cost of living in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is 26% above avg, while Denver-Aurora-Centennial is 46% above avg, making Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos feels like earning $85,767 in Denver-Aurora-Centennial once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Denver-Aurora-Centennial has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Denver-Aurora-Centennial ($22,621 vs $15,887 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Denver-Aurora-Centennial
Schools
541
859
Enrollment
345,378
473,957
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
13.8%
20.7%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Denver-Aurora-Centennial
Institutions
31
46
In-State Tuition
$22,621
$15,887
Out-of-State
$28,276
$22,117
Grad Rate
58.5%
62.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos or Denver-Aurora-Centennial more expensive?

Denver-Aurora-Centennial is more expensive with a cost of living index of 146.1 vs 126.4 (national average = 100).

What salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial equals $70,000 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?

You would need to earn approximately $85,767 in Denver-Aurora-Centennial to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Denver-Aurora-Centennial?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,224 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos and $25,068 in Denver-Aurora-Centennial—housing is 13% more in Denver-Aurora-Centennial.