C+
15%
Overall NAT. AVG.
21%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
26%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Denton Texas National
Cost of living11592100
Goods & Services12196100
Groceries9796100
Health care11094100
Housing12683100
Transportation9492100
Utilities115104100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Denton, TX

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Denton is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Denton is 115, which is 15% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Housing costs significantly influence the Denton cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 25.5%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.

Recurring goods and services expenses like haircuts, toothpaste, gym memberships and movie nights are a big part of your spending and make up 33% of the cost of living index. In Denton, these items will cost you 20.6% more than what most folks pay, making it a bit more expensive to live here.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Denton?

Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 7 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in Denton and this is how they responded. 57% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 43% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.

Is Denton Affordable?

Is Denton affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Denton, for instance, where the median home price falls 28.7% higher than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 18.1% higher than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Denton flaunting a median household income of $62,542, 13.1% higher than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Denton?

Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Denton, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 0%.

Utilities: Similar to the prices of any other goods or services, utility expenditures can exhibit substantial variability, influenced by factors such as climate, energy sources accessibility, geographical location and state regulations. Costs related to electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, whether higher or lower, contingent on the city or state. In Denton, the utilities index is 15.1% higher than the national average.

Urbanization: Larger, urban areas boasting abundant amenities and robust employment prospects often exhibit a heightened cost of living, driven by the increased demand for services and residential relocation. Consequently, this leads to elevated home prices and higher rental rates. In contrast, sparsely populated rural locales or regions marked by diminished demand typically offer a more limited range of amenities and experience slower job market expansion. This translates into a more affordable cost of living.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Denton, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Denton is 25% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Denton is 15% higher than the national average
  • Denton housing is 26% higher than the national average
  • Texas general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Texas state income tax is 100% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Denton

See all the best places to live around Denton

Compare Denton, TX Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$92,997$7,750$2,170$2,790
      Renters$37,569$3,131$877$1,127
      The percentage of monthly income spent on housing related expenses can help predict the affordability of housing in Denton, TX, as well as what the overall cost of living might be. Generally, a good rule to follow is that the debt-to-income (DTI) level you want to maintain is 28 percent or less of your income on your rent or mortgage payments and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses and debts. In Denton, homeowners have a median income of $92,997. Using that number, a maximum of $2,170 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $37,569, which means there is a maximum of $877 to be spent on the costs of renting a home or apartment.

      Texas Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Texas 6.25% 8.25%

      Texas Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Texas 0% 0%

      Goods & Services

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Haircut $23.57$24.262.8%
      Beauty Salon $35.11$45.5622.9%
      Toothpaste $3.51$3.705.1%
      Shampoo $1.22$1.284.7%
      Movie $11.85$12.132.3%
      Bowling $16.96$18.005.8%

      Groceries

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.44$5.846.9%
      Fried Chicken $1.32$1.5716.1%
      Milk $4.63$4.670.9%
      Potatoes $4.15$4.9316.0%
      Pizza $11.96$12.091.0%
      Beer $10.27$10.411.4%

      Health Care

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $96.63$125.6823.1%
      Doctor $131.00$135.783.5%
      Dentist $86.73$113.2923.4%
      Ibuprofen $10.40$10.652.4%
      Lipitor $484.49$468.603.4%

      Housing

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $237,700.00$184,700.0028.7%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,562.33$2,346.6933.4%
      Apartment Rent $1,121.00$949.0018.1%

      Transportation

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.47$3.460.3%
      Tire Balancing $66.47$59.9210.9%

      Utilities

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $145.64$193.9924.9%
      Phone $208.71$192.258.6%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Corral City, TX1411111.0%
      Bristol, TX45011111.0%
      Lincoln Park, TX1918811.7%
      Pilot Point, TX4,4571087.7%
      Sanger, TX8,5351109.7%
      Denton, TX139,73411515.3%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Orange, CA139,32217272.4%
      Cambridge, ON140,221n/a 
      Olathe, KS139,2161054.8%
      Dayton, OH140,4448515.2%
      Surprise, AZ139,00711514.8%
      Denton, TX139,73411515.3%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.