Denton vs Naperville
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Naperville
The Verdict
Living in Denton costs 3.6% less than Naperville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $77,778 in Naperville.
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 $77,778 in Naperville.
Conversely, $75,000 in Naperville equals $72,321 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Naperville
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Naperville's 130, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $430,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,800/mo in Naperville, a monthly difference of $375.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 104 in Naperville. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $494/month in Naperville. 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 99 in Naperville. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $396 in Naperville. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 101 in Naperville. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-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 $118,254 in Naperville. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $105,584 respectively. Naperville 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 $2,759/month in Naperville. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Naperville, median rent of $1,800/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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