City Comparison

Denton vs Gilbert

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Gilbert

Arizona
111
Above Average
$470,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$94,518
Median Income

The Verdict

2.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.7%, with Denton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $77,083 in Gilbert.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
128
Gilbert
Groceries
98
Denton
100
Gilbert
Utilities
90
Denton
96
Gilbert
Transportation
87
Denton
103
Gilbert
Healthcare
81
Denton
95
Gilbert

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $77,083 in Gilbert.

Conversely, $75,000 in Gilbert equals $72,973 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Gilbert

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Gilbert's 128, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $470,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,700/mo in Gilbert, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 100 in Gilbert. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $475/month in Gilbert. 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 90 in Denton and 96 in Gilbert. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $384 in Gilbert. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 95 in Gilbert. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $94,518 in Gilbert. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $85,151 respectively. Gilbert residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $2,205/month in Gilbert. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Gilbert, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 16 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton is 2.7% more affordable overall with an index of 108 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,083 in Gilbert, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Gilbert's is 128 with median homes at $470,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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