Denver, CO vs Houston, TX

The cost of living difference between Denver, CO and Houston, TX is dramatic. Houston is 45.3% cheaper than Denver, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Denver has a cost index of 139 while Houston sits at 96, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Denver is $1,770/month compared to $1,313/month in Houston — a 35% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Houston is more affordable at $253,400 median vs $586,700.

Median household income in Denver is $91,681 compared to $62,894 in Houston (+45.8%). While Denver is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Denver spend roughly 23.2% of their income on rent, less than the 25.1% in Houston.