Denton vs Lakewood
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Lakewood
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 18.8%, with Denton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $92,361 in Lakewood.
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 $92,361 in Lakewood.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lakewood equals $60,902 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Lakewood
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Lakewood's 188, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $574,000. The $189,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,288 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,850/mo in Lakewood, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 101 in Lakewood. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $480/month in Lakewood. 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 85 in Lakewood. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $340 in Lakewood. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 84 in Lakewood. 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 $83,800 in Lakewood. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $63,008 respectively. Denton residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,955/month in Lakewood. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 62 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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