Comparison · Austin vs Denver · United States
Austin vs Denver
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Austin for Live music, Texas barbecue and a milder winter; choose Denver for Mile High City and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 1,242 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 1,242 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Austin
- March–April and October–November
- Best time for Denver
- June–September
Side by side
| Austin | Denver | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United States | United States |
| Known for | Live music, Texas barbecue and Breakfast tacos | Mile High City, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Craft beer |
| Best time to visit | March–April and October–November | June–September |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$330 | $210–$350 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 36°C (97°F) | July, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 17°C (63°F) | January, 6°C (43°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | AUS | DEN |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Austin for…
Live music, Texas barbecue and a milder winter. Austin, the capital of Texas, sits on the Colorado River where the flat prairie meets the limestone hills of the Hill Country. It calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World, with music most nights on Sixth Street, Red River and South Congress, and it…
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Choose Denver for…
Mile High City and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Denver sits on the high plains at about 1,609 metres — one mile above sea level — with the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains filling the western skyline. Its compact downtown links the restored Union Station, Larimer Square and LoDo with the Golden…
Top sights compared
| # | Austin | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas State Capitol | Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre |
| 2 | Barton Springs Pool | Denver Art Museum |
| 3 | Congress Avenue Bridge bats | Colorado State Capitol |
| 4 | Lady Bird Lake and the Butler Trail | Denver Union Station |
| 5 | Zilker Park | Larimer Square |
Food compared
| Austin | Denver |
|---|---|
| Central Texas brisket | Green chile |
| Breakfast tacos | Smothered breakfast burrito |
| Queso | Denver omelette |
| Tex-Mex enchiladas | Rocky Mountain oysters |
Which is cheaper?
Austin and Denver cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $200–$330 in Austin and $210–$350 in Denver (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Austin on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 1,242 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 9 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Austin or Denver cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $200–$330 in Austin and $210–$350 in Denver (estimates).
+Is Austin or Denver better for a first trip?
Pick Austin for Live music, Texas barbecue and a milder winter, or Denver for Mile High City and Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
+How far is Austin from Denver?
About 1,242 km in a straight line.