City Comparison

Denton vs Lexington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

The Verdict

16.1%

Living in Lexington costs 16.1% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $64,583 in Lexington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
82
Lexington
Groceries
98
Denton
96
Lexington
Utilities
90
Denton
91
Lexington
Transportation
87
Denton
98
Lexington
Healthcare
81
Denton
94
Lexington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $64,583 in Lexington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $87,097 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Lexington

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $245,000. The $140,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $456/month in Lexington. 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 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $364 in Lexington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 94 in Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $59,837 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lexington is 16.1% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,583 in Lexington, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Lexington's is 82 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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