City Comparison

Denton vs Lowell

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Lowell

Massachusetts
131
Expensive
$429,000
Median Home
$1,925/mo
Median Rent
$79,700
Median Income

The Verdict

17.6%

Living in Denton costs 17.6% less than Lowell. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $90,972 in Lowell.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
152
Lowell
Groceries
98
Denton
104
Lowell
Utilities
90
Denton
151
Lowell
Transportation
87
Denton
108
Lowell
Healthcare
81
Denton
118
Lowell

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $90,972 in Lowell.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lowell equals $61,832 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Lowell

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Lowell's 152, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $429,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,925/mo in Lowell, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 104 in Lowell. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $494/month in Lowell. Denton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Denton and 151 in Lowell. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $604 in Lowell. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 118 in Lowell. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 37-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 $79,700 in Lowell. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $60,840 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 $1,860/month in Lowell. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Lowell, median rent of $1,925/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 61 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton is 17.6% more affordable overall with an index of 108 vs 131.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $90,972 in Lowell, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Lowell's is 152 with median homes at $429,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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