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Denver vs Houston

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Houston is 19% cheaper than Denver overall.Denver has a cost of living index of 118 vs Houston at 95 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Denver costs 37% more.

Pierre
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Denver
CO
118
COLI index
VS
Houston
TX
95
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryDenverHoustonDifference
Overall COLI11895-19%
Housing168105-37%
Groceries105103-2%
Transport110104-5%
Healthcare106101-5%
Utilities96112+17%

Median 1BR Rent

Denver
$1,750/mo
Houston
$1,350/mo

Median Home Price

Denver
$545,000
Houston
$265,000

Median Household Income

Denver
$72,173
Houston
$56,019

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Frequently Asked Questions

Houston is cheaper to live in overall. Denver has a cost of living index of 118 while Houston has an index of 95, where 100 represents the US national average. Houston is 19% cheaper than Denver overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Denver is $1,750 per month compared to $1,350 in Houston. The median home price in Denver is $545,000 versus $265,000 in Houston. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Denver has a cost of living index of 118 and Houston has an index of 95, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Denver, multiply by 0.81. For example a $75,000 salary in Denver is equivalent to approximately $60,381 in Houston.

Denver has a median household income of $72,173 per year versus $56,019 in Houston. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Denver to Houston is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Houston is 19% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.