Side-by-side · Software Engineer
Austin vs Denver
Move Value
−$8k
real, after tax + COL · per year
Career Velocity
7/10
Austin: 8/10 → lateral
10-Year Outlook
−$148k
± $117k confidence band
| Austin | Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| P50 salary, role | $134k | $138k |
| State + local income tax | None | 3.9% |
| After-tax income | $102k | $99k |
| Cost of living (US = 100) | 119 | 128 |
| Median 1BR rent | $1604/mo | $1887/mo |
| Real purchasing power | $86k | $77k |
| Career Velocity (this role) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Career Velocity v1 (0–100) | 84 · High | 78 · Strong |
| Walkability (0–10) | 5 | 6 |
| Outdoors (0–10) | 8 | 10 |
Who should make this move
Choose Denver if…
- ·Outdoors-first city with a credible tech and aerospace base.
Stay in Austin if…
- ·Career Velocity is higher in Austin (8/10 vs 7/10) for your field.
- ·You'd lose $8k of real income annually.
- ·Your 10-year picture is $148k better if you stay.
- ·You're optimizing for what Austin uniquely offers: tech salaries close to the coast, no state income tax.
A note on the numbers: Salaries are role-P50 from BLS-style bands. Tax is statutory state + local at ~$110k single. The 10-year outlook uses a 3-year promotion cadence with a small velocity adjustment, 2.5% COL inflation, and discounts to today's dollars. Full assumptions on the methodology page.