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Denver vs. Austin: Which City Is Better For Living + Full Comparison

Denver, Colorado, vs. Austin, Texas. Both of these cities have a lot in common. Both are capital cities of their respective states. They are both emerging tech hubs competing to be the best startup community outside of Silicon Valley. They are both known for having “hipster” reputations, thriving music scenes, and outdoor recreation.

Okay, but what makes these cities different from one another? What makes them special? I have been fortunate to live in both of these places. Denver for five years, and Austin for one, and I’m happy to lay out what I learned during my time as a resident. Continue reading this article for everything you need to know.

Denver vs. Austin: Full Comparison

A good way to compare these two cities is by laying out the pros and cons of each. Overall, these are both excellent places to live. There are some qualities that make a city more enjoyable, as well as attributes that leave something to be desired. Let’s compare the pros and cons of each.

Denver, Colorado

Denver or Austin?

The Mile High City tends to attract people with a passion for the outdoors. With great weather and easy access to the Rocky Mountains, Denver is perfect for those who enjoy hiking, biking, camping, fishing, skiing, and the like. Now that we’ve gotten that cliche out of the way, it’s important to note that Denver is also an amazing city for tech companies, arts, and breweries.

✅ Nice Weather – There is a misconception about Denver that it’s always cold and covered in snow. If you drive 1.5 hours into the mountains, yes, there will be a lot of snow, but not so much within this city. In fact, Colorado is the 5th sunniest state in the country and the winters in Denver are mild compared to much of the United States. Summertime is pleasant as well, with very little humidity that makes even the hottest days much more bearable.

✅ Great Job Market – Denver is ranked 4th in the US for business and careers, according to Forbes. The emerging tech scene brings many high-paying jobs along with it, contributing to Colorado’s rank as number 10 among all states in per capita income. The average annual salary in Denver is $64,889, which is higher than the national average of $56,310.

✅ Young Population – More than two-thirds of residents are under the age of 45, which is why Denver is one of the best cities for Millenials. This helps create a culture of more entertainment, fun events, and high energy.

✅ Sports Town – Sports fans can enjoy watching live games all year round, as Denver is home to a team of every major league. The downtown area boasts excellent venues for professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and lacrosse.

✅ Outdoor Activities – With direct access to some of the country’s most beautiful scenery in the Rocky Mountains, Denver is ideal for nature lovers. But you don’t need to leave the city limits to enjoy the outdoors. Residents of Denver love hanging out in its many public parks, biking along the Cherry Creek Trail, and rafting on the South Platte River.

❌ Housing Prices – While living in Denver is a cheaper alternative to New York and California cities, housing costs are still 38% higher than the national average. The rapidly growing population has caused gentrification in most neighborhoods, with the median home listing price at $565,000 according to the most recent data from Realtor.com.

❌ High Altitude – The Mile High City is no joke, as it actually sits 5,280 feet above sea level. This can cause health issues such as headaches, nosebleeds, dry skin, altitude sickness, and difficulty exercising. You will also be closer to the sun and its UV rays, so sunscreen is needed even during the winter months.

❌ Traffic – The highways and streets around Denver were not built to accommodate thousands of new residents and millions of visitors each year. The average commute time during the week is 1-1.5 hours. On weekends, traffic to the mountains can be a real nightmare, with 1.5-hour drives easily turning into 6-hour drives.

❌ Droughts and Wildfires – Like many states in the Western US, Colorado is experiencing heavy droughts. The city of Denver often implements outdoor watering requirements during the summer months in order to keep reservoir levels high. The dryness can lead to wildfires and smoke throughout the state, resulting in poor air quality days.

Austin, Texas

Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX

Austin sticks out as the most unconventional city in the state of Texas. Its unique culture is what helps the “Keep Austin Weird” mantra remain strong. Austin is a popular bachelor/bachelorette party destination due to its energetic nightlife. This fast-growing city is also known for its music scene, culinary culture, and tech startup community.

✅ Educated Population – Austin is routinely ranked in the top 10 for most educated cities in the US. The University of Texas at Austin is ranked as one of the top public colleges in the country, boasting a population of over 50,000 students and 3,000 faculty members. And for young children, Austin is home to some of the top elementary school districts in the United States, scoring an A rating by the Texas Education Agency.

✅ Also Great Job Market – Austin and Denver are usually ranked close to one another when it comes to labor market. Austin’s job market is predicted to grow 47% over the next 10 years. Careers in tech are abundant with companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla recently opening offices in Austin.

✅ No State Income Tax – Texas is one of only seven states that have no personal income tax at all. Your salary will stretch a bit further with this perk. Many large companies are moving to Texas for this very reason.

✅ Culinary Delights – With a food truck on every corner, there are plenty of options to fulfill your appetite. The city features some of the best Tex-Mex you’ll ever eat, but is also home to top-rated restaurants serving international cuisine. Austin is also known as a barbeque capital, as hungry patrons will wait in line for hours at joints like Franklin BBQ to get a taste before it sells out for the day.

✅ Music Scene – With over 250 music venues located around the city, it’s no wonder Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World. Locals enjoy live music every night of the week at various spots like The Continental Club and Antone’s Nightclub, while annual festivals like SXSW (South By Southwest) and Austin City Limits attract music lovers from all over the world.

❌ Lack of Public Transportation – If you’re going to live in Austin, you need a car. There is a bus system, but it’s far from efficient. On the bright side, Austin’s gas prices are an average of about $2 cheaper than other major cities.

❌ Housing Market – Housing costs in Austin have skyrocketed in recent years. After a 30% increase over the past year, the median listing home price is now close to $600,000. This is a give-and-take that goes along with some of the pros such as the booming job market.

❌ Scorching Hot Summers – The average summer temperature in Austin is around 96 degrees, and it only seems to be getting hotter. This past year, Austin recorded its hottest summer ever, with 52 consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures. The good news is there are several pools, lakes, and watering holes to cool off in around town.

❌ Lack of Diversity – You won’t find the same diverse communities here as you would in other large cities. The vast majority of people who live in Austin are white. This situation will be closely monitored to see what types of residents the rapidly-growing population will bring in the years to come.

Zilker Park is a nice destination in Austin

Comparing Denver with Austin: FAQs

There are a number of questions that frequently come up when comparing these two cities. Rather than searching for answers all over the internet, let’s dive into each one so there’s a one-stop shop for all the answers.

Is Denver or Austin a bigger city?

In terms of land area, Austin is bigger. Austin occupies 274 square miles, while Denver only occupies 154 square miles. In terms of population, Austin is also bigger with 995,484 inhabitants to Denver’s 735,538.

If you want to look at the entire metropolitan, which includes the city and all of its surrounding suburban areas, then Denver has a larger population. The total metro population of Denver is 2,931,000. The population of metropolitan Austin is 2,283,371.

Which city has the better tech scene?

While both cities are often ranked in the top 10 of tech scenes in the US, Austin is consistently ranked higher than Denver, usually in the top 3. Over the last five years, employment in tech has grown by 24.4%, compared to 11.6% for all industries in Austin.

Is Denver or Austin better for families?

Overall, Austin is the better choice for families. Austin boasts a more highly rated public school system and lower crime rates. The lack of taxes on income, social security, and pensions in Austin adds to its affordability for new families looking for a place to raise their kids.

Which is better for couples?

Both cities offer plenty of things to do for couples. Both Denver and Austin are full of a variety of dining options, outdoor spaces for romantic walks, and activities for two.

Which is better to visit?

Comparing Austin and Denver Food

Austin has more to do in the actual city. The lakes, parks, nightlife, restaurants, eccentric neighborhoods, and historic sites around town make it a wonderful place for a visit. It’s easy to spend a weekend (or an entire week) here and not run out of things to do.

Mile High City

However, if you are looking at a city as a gateway to other destinations, Denver is the better choice. Denver is a great jumping off point to access national parks, ski resorts, and everything else the Rocky Mountains have to offer.

Denver and Austin Comparison: Cost of Living

Denver is 1.2% less expensive than Austin, so these cities are very comparable when it comes to cost. These costs are rising each year as more people move to each place. Health-related expenses are 17.4% less in Denver.

Housing Costs

Austin is cheaper when it comes to renting, while Denver is more affordable for those looking to buy a home. The average rent for an apartment in Austin is $1,825, compared to $1,997 in Denver. The median home listings in Austin and Denver are $599k and $565k, respectively.

It is important to note that up until last year, home prices in Denver were more expensive than in Austin. These two cities are typically neck and neck when it comes to housing costs. The rapid growth of both cities means ever-changing median prices that are different year after year, though many economists are predicting Austin to be the next big megatropolis.

Getting Around

Denver vs Austin Transit

If you were to utilize public transportation in these two cities, Denver would be more expensive. Monthly transportation costs in Denver are $116 and about $110 in Austin.

Food Costs

Perhaps food at a mile above sea level comes at a price. Food expenses in Denver are typically higher than in Austin. For example, you would pay $4.06 for a loaf of bread in Denver, whereas you’d pay $2.85 for that same loaf in Austin.

Best Things To Do In Denver

Coors Field in Denver

✔️ Larimer Square – Denver’s first city block, lined with historic buildings, upscale restaurants, and boutique shops.

✔️ Union Station – Marvel at the beautiful architecture of this building, which was first constructed in 1881 but renovated in 2014. Play a free game of shuffleboard or grab a cocktail at the Terminal Bar if you need to kill some time.

✔️ Denver Botanic Gardens – Walk through this garden of flora from around the world featuring a tropical biosphere, conservatory, and Japanese tea garden.

✔️ Microbreweries – 150 breweries can be found in Denver. Visit the city’s first brewpub at Wynkoop or sip on a “Juicy Banger” at Station 26.

✔️ Coors Field – Conveniently located in the downtown LoDo district, Coors Field is a great place to catch a baseball game or simply gaze upon skyline and mountain views.

✔️ Denver Museum of Nature & Science – One of the most entertaining museums you’ll ever visit. Exhibits showcasing dinosaur fossils, Colorado wildlife, and mummies can be found in this City Park museum.

✔️ Washington Park – Or simply “Wash Park” if you want to sound like a local. Walk or jog along 155 acres of green space including two lakes.

✔️ Dairy Block – This downtown micro-district named after Windsor Dairy (the area’s former tenant) contains a hotel, food hall, art gallery, and walkable alley with a European vibe.

✔️ River North Art District (RiNo) – This hip neighborhood has all the trendy restaurants, bars, and shops you could ask for. You can also stroll through the vibrant alleys, all covered in murals and paintings.

✔️ Meow Wolf Convergence Station – A relatively new Denver attraction, Meow Wolf is a 4-story immersive art installation. This trippy and unique experience is something you need to see to fully understand.

Best Things To Do In Austin

Bats at Congress Bridge in Austin

✔️ Float on Lady Bird Lake – You can rent a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, canoe, or even a paddle boat shaped like a swan. This is a great way to see skyline views and enjoy the outdoors right within the city.

✔️ Watch Bats Fly from Congress Bridge – Every night at sunset, over a million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Hundreds of people will line up on the bridge each night to watch this North America’s largest urban bat population.

✔️ Eat Tex-Mex Cuisine – Austin is known to have some of the best Tex-Mex food that money can buy. A few favorites include Matt’s El Rancho, Eldorado Cafe, and Ramos Tex-Mex Restaurant.

✔️ Barton Springs Pool – This natural spring remains at a temperature of 68-70 degrees all year long. Take a dip for $9 per day, or $5 if you are an Austin local.

✔️ Shop on South Congress – Walk along this lively street to take a photo with the insta-famous “I Love You So Much” mural or buy some cowboy gear at Allens Boots.

✔️ Zilker Park – This downtown park is the host of the annual Austin City Limits music festival. Pack a picnic and enjoy the 361 acres of green space.

✔️ Rainey Street – This street lined with little houses that have been turned into bars is perfect for bar hopping.

✔️ Mount Bonnell – This hidden gem is a relatively easy hike of 102 concrete steps that brings you to one of the highest points in Austin.

✔️ Night on Sixth Street – Austin’s party nucleus. This street closes to through traffic on the weekends, when it’s packed with live music and rowdy people.

✔️ Boat on Lake Austin or Lake Travis – Get nautical by renting a boat and cruising around Lake Austin. For even more room to play, drive a few miles outside of town for the much larger Lake Travis 

Conclusion: Denver and Austin Compared

As you can probably gather from reading this article, there’s a reason these are two of the fastest-growing cities in the US. It really is hard to go wrong and often comes down to personal preference. Both cities have strong economies and plenty of things to do.

If a winner must be chosen, it would be Austin. Better education and lower crime rates make this an amazing place to settle down long-term. However, I lived in Denver for five years and I would recommend it for anyone as well. Feel free to contact me with any questions you have about living in these great cities.

If you’d like a comparison of Denver and Portland, click here.