Denton vs Hillsboro
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Hillsboro
The Verdict
Denton is 15.6% less expensive than Hillsboro overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $88,889 in Hillsboro 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 Denton has the same purchasing power as $88,889 in Hillsboro.
Conversely, $75,000 in Hillsboro equals $63,281 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Hillsboro
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Hillsboro's 175, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $533,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,725/mo in Hillsboro, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 108 in Hillsboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $513/month in Hillsboro. Denton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Denton and 96 in Hillsboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $384 in Hillsboro. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 103 in Hillsboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $106,700 in Hillsboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $83,359 respectively. Hillsboro 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 $2,490/month in Hillsboro. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Hillsboro, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 49 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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