City comparison
Safety is where Austin and Denver split most clearly. Austin scores 117 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,729 in Austin and $1,831 in Denver.
This is a genuine split. Austin wins on cost of living and safety and Denver wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The crime gap is citywide. Austin has rougher pockets and Denver has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
Austin, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Denver, CO
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Austin and Denver? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
6% cheaper
Austin rent is 6% cheaper than Denver
Austin
Winner$1,729/mo
Denver
$1,831/mo
Typical rent runs $1,729 a month in Austin versus $1,831 in Denver, so Austin is 6% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $102, or $1,224 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Austin? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
1% higher
Denver's median income is 1% higher than Austin
Austin
$93,658
Denver
Winner$94,718
Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $93,658 in Austin, so typical pay runs 1% higher in Denver (about $1,060 more household income a year). The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.
Crime index
44% lower crime
Austin's crime index is 44% lower than Denver
Austin
Winner151 (100 = avg)
Denver
268 (100 = avg)
Austin's crime index is 151 versus 268 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 44% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Austin and Denver are about even on typical weather.
Austin
79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Denver
68°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100
Austin averages about 79°F (86°F highs); Denver averages about 68°F (77°F highs). Austin sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Denver sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Austin is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 6% cheaper here at about $1,729 a month. Choose Austin if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 44% lower than Denver (151 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Denver is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 1% higher here ($94,718). Start with Denver if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Neither city is a free pass on neighborhood choice, but Austin leads on safety (47/100 vs 30/100 in Denver). Typical rent is $1,729 in Austin and $1,831 in Denver; do not assume the cheaper lease buys the calmer blocks.
With only $102 separating typical rent, run both offer letters before housing cost alone picks the city.
Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $93,658 in Austin.
Most movers who prioritize safety land in Austin; Denver only makes sense when you have walked the Denver ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $1,831 rent.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Austin and Denver, plus other cities in TX and CO.
