State Comparison

Texas vs Colorado

Side-by-side comparison of 16 financial metrics including taxes, housing costs, cost of living, wages, and insurance — powered by verified government data.

Overall Score

7
Texas
TX
vs
of 16 metrics
9
Colorado
CO

Cost of Living

Cost of Living Index
TX: 93.9
CO: 105.1
TX

Housing

Median Home Price
TX: $310,000
CO: $530,000
TX
Median 2BR Rent
TX: $1,275/mo
CO: $1,625/mo
TX
Closing Costs
TX: 2.50%
CO: 2.20%
CO
Transfer Tax Rate
TX: 0.00%
CO: 0.01%
TX

Taxes

Property Tax Rate
TX: 1.80%
CO: 0.51%
CO
Top Income Tax Rate
TX: None
CO: 4.40%
TX
Sales Tax Rate
TX: 6.25%
CO: 2.90%
CO
Capital Gains Tax Rate
TX: None
CO: 4.40%
TX

Income & Employment

Median Household Income
TX: $67,321
CO: $82,254
CO
Minimum Wage
TX: $7.25/hr
CO: $14.81/hr
CO
Max Unemployment Benefit
TX: $521/wk
CO: $643/wk
CO

Business

LLC Filing Fee
TX: $300
CO: $50
CO
LLC Annual Fee
TX: $0
CO: $10
TX

Insurance & Living

Avg Car Insurance
TX: $2,150/yr
CO: $2,050/yr
CO
Avg Home Insurance
TX: $3,600/yr
CO: $2,820/yr
CO

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Colorado leads in 9 of 16 financial metrics, making it the more favorable state overall.

  • 2

    Housing: Median home prices are $310,000 in Texas vs $530,000 in Colorado — a $220,000 difference.

  • 3

    Taxes: Texas has no income tax while Colorado has a 4.4% top rate. Property tax rates are 1.8% vs 0.51%.

  • 4

    Cost of Living: Texas's index is 93.9 and Colorado's is 105.1 (national average = 100).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Texas or Colorado more affordable?

Texas has a lower cost of living index (93.9) compared to Colorado (105.1), where 100 is the national average. However, affordability depends on your specific situation — compare housing, taxes, and income together for a complete picture.

Which state has lower taxes — Texas or Colorado?

Overall, Colorado has a lower combined tax burden. Texas has no income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.8% property tax. Colorado has a 4.4% top income tax, 2.9% sales tax, and 0.51% property tax.

What are housing costs in Texas vs Colorado?

The median home price in Texas is $310,000 compared to $530,000 in Colorado. For renters, a 2-bedroom apartment averages $1,275/month in Texas vs $1,625/month in Colorado.

Which state is better for starting a business — Texas or Colorado?

LLC filing costs are $300 in Texas vs $50 in Colorado, with annual fees of $0 and $10 respectively. Texas's lack of income tax compared to Colorado's 4.4% rate may also factor into your decision.

Should I move from Texas to Colorado?

It depends on your priorities. Colorado wins in 9 of 16 metrics we compared. Use our free calculators to model your specific financial scenario — including salary, property tax, and cost of living for each state.

Comparing Texas and Colorado

When deciding between living in Texas or Colorado, the financial picture goes beyond just one metric. This comparison analyzes 16 key financial indicators sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, Tax Foundation, HUD Fair Market Rent data, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to give you a comprehensive overview.

Texas (TX) has a median household income of $67,321 with a cost of living index of 93.9. Colorado (CO) has a median household income of $82,254 with a cost of living index of 105.1.

These numbers are estimates. Individual circumstances vary based on location within each state, family size, profession, and lifestyle. Use our free Texas calculator or Colorado calculator to model your specific financial scenario.

Data sources: Census Bureau ACS, Tax Foundation, HUD FMR, BLS. Last verified January 2026. Calculators provide estimates only — consult a qualified professional for financial advice.