City Comparison

Denton vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

36.7%

Montgomery is 36.7% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $54,861 in Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
49
Montgomery
Groceries
98
Denton
99
Montgomery
Utilities
90
Denton
115
Montgomery
Transportation
87
Denton
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
81
Denton
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $54,861 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $102,532 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $162,000. The $223,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,496 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $460 in Montgomery. 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 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $73,700 in Denton and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 77 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 36.7% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,861 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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