City Comparison

Denton vs Manchester

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Manchester

New Hampshire
118
Above Average
$350,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$65,018
Median Income

The Verdict

8.5%

Living in Denton costs 8.5% less than Manchester. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $81,944 in Manchester.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
140
Manchester
Groceries
98
Denton
105
Manchester
Utilities
90
Denton
114
Manchester
Transportation
87
Denton
100
Manchester
Healthcare
81
Denton
112
Manchester

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $81,944 in Manchester.

Conversely, $75,000 in Manchester equals $68,644 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Manchester

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Manchester's 140, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $350,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,600/mo in Manchester, a monthly difference of $175.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 105 in Manchester. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $499/month in Manchester. Denton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Denton and 114 in Manchester. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $456 in Manchester. 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 112 in Manchester. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 31-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 $65,018 in Manchester. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $55,100 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 $1,517/month in Manchester. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Manchester, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton is 8.5% more affordable overall with an index of 108 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $81,944 in Manchester, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Manchester's is 140 with median homes at $350,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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