City Comparison

Champaign vs Denton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Champaign

Illinois
81
Very Affordable
$215,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$56,100
Median Income

Denton

Texas
108
Above Average
$385,000
Median Home
$1,425/mo
Median Rent
$73,700
Median Income

The Verdict

25.0%

Living in Champaign costs 25.0% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $100,000 in Denton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
83
Champaign
126
Denton
Groceries
98
Champaign
98
Denton
Utilities
106
Champaign
90
Denton
Transportation
99
Champaign
87
Denton
Healthcare
90
Champaign
81
Denton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Denton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Denton equals $56,250 in Champaign.

Living in Champaign vs Denton

Housing Costs

Champaign's housing index of 83 is lower Denton's 126, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $385,000. The $170,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,052 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $1,425/mo in Denton, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 98 in Denton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign vs $466/month in Denton. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 106 in Champaign and 90 in Denton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $360 in Denton. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 81 in Denton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $56,100 in Champaign and $73,700 in Denton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 and $68,241 respectively. Champaign residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,720/month in Denton. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign is 25.0% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,000 in Denton, based on the cost of living difference.
Champaign's housing index is 83 with median homes at $215,000, while Denton's is 126 with median homes at $385,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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