Denton vs Meridian
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Meridian
The Verdict
Living in Denton costs 10.0% less than Meridian. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $83,333 in Meridian.
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 $83,333 in Meridian.
Conversely, $75,000 in Meridian equals $67,500 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Meridian
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Meridian's 154, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $509,000. The $124,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,064 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,725/mo in Meridian, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 104 in Meridian. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $494/month in Meridian. 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 86 in Meridian. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $344 in Meridian. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 103 in Meridian. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $99,700 in Meridian. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $83,083 respectively. Meridian 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 $2,326/month in Meridian. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Meridian, median rent of $1,725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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