City Comparison

Denton vs Johnson City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

The Verdict

27.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.1%, with Johnson City being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $59,028 in Johnson City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
66
Johnson City
Groceries
98
Denton
95
Johnson City
Utilities
90
Denton
95
Johnson City
Transportation
87
Denton
88
Johnson City
Healthcare
81
Denton
94
Johnson City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $59,028 in Johnson City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Johnson City equals $95,294 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Johnson City

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Johnson City's 66, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $276,000. The $109,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,025/mo in Johnson City, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 95 in Johnson City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $451/month in Johnson City. 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 95 in Johnson City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $380 in Johnson City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 94 in Johnson City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $55,400 in Johnson City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $65,176 respectively. Denton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,293/month in Johnson City. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnson City is 27.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,028 in Johnson City, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Johnson City's is 66 with median homes at $276,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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