Denton vs Medford
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Medford
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.9%, with Medford being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $73,611 in Medford.
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 Medford.
Conversely, $75,000 in Medford equals $76,415 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Medford
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Medford's 139, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $406,000. The $21,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,368 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,375/mo in Medford, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 108 in Medford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $513/month in Medford. Denton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Denton and 97 in Medford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $388 in Medford. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 100 in Medford. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $73,200 in Medford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $69,057 respectively. Medford residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,720/month to housing in Denton vs $1,708/month in Medford. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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