Abilene vs Denton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Denton
The Verdict
Abilene is 25.9% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Abilene would need approximately $101,250 in Denton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $101,250 in Denton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $55,556 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Denton
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Denton's 126, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $385,000. The $206,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,392 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $466/month in Denton. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $408/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $360 in Denton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 81 in Denton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $68,241 respectively. Abilene residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,720/month in Denton. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 68 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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