City Comparison

Denton vs Knoxville

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Knoxville

Tennessee
88
Below Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$42,898
Median Income

The Verdict

22.7%

Living in Knoxville costs 22.7% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $61,111 in Knoxville.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
73
Knoxville
Groceries
98
Denton
94
Knoxville
Utilities
90
Denton
90
Knoxville
Transportation
87
Denton
97
Knoxville
Healthcare
81
Denton
93
Knoxville

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $61,111 in Knoxville.

Conversely, $75,000 in Knoxville equals $92,045 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Knoxville

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Knoxville's 73, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $240,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,100/mo in Knoxville, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 94 in Knoxville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $447/month in Knoxville. 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 90 in Knoxville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $360 in Knoxville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 93 in Knoxville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $42,898 in Knoxville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $48,748 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 $1,001/month in Knoxville. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Knoxville, median rent of $1,100/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Knoxville is 22.7% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,111 in Knoxville, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Knoxville's is 73 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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