Denton vs Lafayette
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Lafayette
The Verdict
Living in Lafayette costs 20.0% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $62,500 in Lafayette.
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 $62,500 in Lafayette.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lafayette equals $90,000 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Lafayette
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Lafayette's 73, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $214,000. The $171,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,112 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 Lafayette, a monthly difference of $325.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 96 in Lafayette. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $456/month in Lafayette. 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 97 in Lafayette. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $388 in Lafayette. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 80 in Lafayette. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $61,900 in Lafayette. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $68,778 respectively. Lafayette 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 $1,444/month in Lafayette. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. 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
Moving & Relocation Resources
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