City Comparison

Denton vs Murfreesboro

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Murfreesboro

Tennessee
93
Below Average
$325,000
Median Home
$1,350/mo
Median Rent
$55,200
Median Income

The Verdict

16.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 16.1%, with Murfreesboro being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $64,583 in Murfreesboro.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
85
Murfreesboro
Groceries
98
Denton
95
Murfreesboro
Utilities
90
Denton
89
Murfreesboro
Transportation
87
Denton
97
Murfreesboro
Healthcare
81
Denton
96
Murfreesboro

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $64,583 in Murfreesboro.

Conversely, $75,000 in Murfreesboro equals $87,097 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Murfreesboro

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Murfreesboro's 85, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $325,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,350/mo in Murfreesboro, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 95 in Murfreesboro. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $451/month in Murfreesboro. 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 89 in Murfreesboro. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $356 in Murfreesboro. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 96 in Murfreesboro. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $55,200 in Murfreesboro. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $59,355 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 $1,288/month in Murfreesboro. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Murfreesboro, median rent of $1,350/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Murfreesboro is 16.1% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $64,583 in Murfreesboro, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Murfreesboro's is 85 with median homes at $325,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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