A-
7%
Overall NAT. AVG.
1%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
25%
Housing NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; 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 living10792100
Goods & Services10196100
Groceries9795100
Health care8797100
Housing12583100
Transportation9792100
Utilities104102100
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An Overview of Cost of Living in Denton, TX

The cost of living in Denton affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Denton is 107, which is 7% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.

The cost of living in Denton aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, goods and services, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. Denton residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.

Housing costs are a major factor in the Denton cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 24.6% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.

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

Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 7 residents in Denton to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 57% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 43% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.

Is Denton Affordable?

Is Denton affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Denton, the median home price is 27.4% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 18% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Denton boasting a median household income of $92,973, 14.3% higher than the national average.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Denton?

Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Denton, healthcare costs are 13% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Denton, the groceries index registers 2.6% lower than the national average.

Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Denton, the transportation index is 2.9% lower than the national average.

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.

Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Denton is 16% higher than the Texas average
  • The cost of living in Denton is 7% higher than the national average
  • Denton housing is 25% 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$137,841$11,487$3,216$4,136
      Renters$55,085$4,590$1,285$1,653
      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 $137,841. Using that number, a maximum of $3,216 per month should be allocated to housing expenses. For those who are renting instead of owning, the median income is $55,085, which means there is a maximum of $1,285 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 $28.07$27.621.6%
      Beauty Salon $51.55$51.110.9%
      Toothpaste $4.02$4.091.8%
      Shampoo $1.58$1.542.5%
      Movie $12.33$12.884.3%
      Yoga $21.53$19.669.5%

      Groceries

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $7.28$7.705.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.60$1.663.7%
      Milk $4.48$4.735.3%
      Potatoes $5.51$5.264.8%
      Pizza $11.19$12.7612.3%
      Beer $11.06$10.554.8%

      Health Care

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $78.33$140.0644.1%
      Doctor $133.33$153.8213.3%
      Dentist $124.33$123.151.0%
      Ibuprofen $11.61$11.731.0%
      Lipitor $15.39$23.6134.8%

      Housing

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Home Price $416,194.00$326,622.0027.4%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,137.16$2,480.2513.8%
      Apartment Rent $1,704.00$1,444.0018.0%

      Transportation

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $2.80$3.068.4%
      Tire Balancing $72.14$65.2110.6%

      Utilities

      Item Denton National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $227.75$220.123.5%
      Phone $205.01$195.714.8%
      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, TX14990.8%
      Bristol, TX4621087.7%
      Lincoln Park, TX1998019.8%
      Pilot Point, TX4,5751000.3%
      Sanger, TX8,7471011.4%
      Denton, TX145,0191076.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Saguenay, QC145,134n/a 
      Midland, TX145,32411110.6%
      Kelowna, BC145,612n/a 
      Dayton, OH145,9278613.6%
      Orange, CA144,05417777.2%
      Denton, TX145,0191076.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2025 and was released from C2ER in January, 2026; this is the most current data available.