Denton vs Madison
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Madison
The Verdict
Madison is 1.9% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $73,611 in Madison to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $73,611 in Madison.
Conversely, $75,000 in Madison equals $76,415 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Madison
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Madison's 115, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $340,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,400/mo in Madison, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 101 in Madison. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $480/month in Madison. 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 Madison. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $388 in Madison. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 105 in Madison. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $67,565 in Madison. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $63,741 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 $1,577/month in Madison. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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