The honest financial comparison, what your Colorado equity buys in the Austin-San Antonio corridor, and the practical steps before you list your home
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Talk to a Specialist →Colorado has a 4.4% flat income tax with relatively limited retirement income exemptions — Social Security is partially exempt but pension and IRA distributions face the full rate. Colorado property taxes have been rising with rapid appreciation in the Denver, Boulder, and Front Range markets. For retirees in their mid-60s who purchased a Denver metro home before 2015, equity gains of $250,000–$500,000 have accumulated. Texas offers no income tax and a 55+ community market at price points that often match or beat comparable Colorado active adult options.
| Tax Category | Colorado (Denver metro) | Texas (65+ primary) |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax on $100K income | ~$3,800–$4,400/yr | $0 |
| Property tax on $500K home | ~$2,500–$4,000/yr (CO rates lower than TX) | ~$4,800–$6,500/yr |
| Net annual advantage | Varies — TX wins on income tax; CO wins on property tax. Model your specific income. | |
Colorado is a nuanced comparison: CO property taxes are lower than Texas, but Texas has no income tax. For buyers with $100,000+ in retirement income, Texas wins on the combined picture. For buyers with primarily Social Security income, Colorado may actually produce a lower total state tax burden. Run your specific numbers before deciding.
Denver and Boulder metro homeowners with $300,000–$550,000 in equity find the Sun City Texas and Kissing Tree price points ($300K–$600K) to be a lateral or slight downgrade in home price but a meaningful upgrade in community amenities and lifestyle structure. Colorado buyers moving to Texas often cite the allergy and air quality improvement as an unexpected benefit alongside the financial arguments.
| Texas Community | Price Range | HOA | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City Texas (Georgetown) | \$300K–\$700K | ~\$100/mo | Value, 54-hole golf, maximum amenity scale |
| Kissing Tree (San Marcos) | \$350K–\$700K | ~\$263/mo | Hill Country terrain, halfway between Austin and San Antonio |
| Trilogy at Rough Hollow | \$600K–\$1.5M+ | \$350–\$450/mo | Lake Travis access, luxury product, closest to Austin |
| Villas at Kissing Tree | \$270K–\$450K | \$255/mo (lawn incl.) | Best value entry to Kissing Tree amenities |
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Colorado buyers tend to split between Sun City Texas (financial optimization, golf, established scale) and Kissing Tree (terrain-lovers who want Hill Country to feel like the Front Range foothills — they are not the same, but the Hill Country limestone terrain resonates with buyers accustomed to Colorado's natural setting).
Tell us your Colorado home value, income profile, and target Texas community — we'll run the full financial comparison.
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