City Comparison

Denton vs New Orleans

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

New Orleans

Louisiana
97
Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$43,258
Median Income

The Verdict

11.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 11.3%, with New Orleans being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $67,361 in New Orleans.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
95
New Orleans
Groceries
98
Denton
99
New Orleans
Utilities
90
Denton
91
New Orleans
Transportation
87
Denton
103
New Orleans
Healthcare
81
Denton
94
New Orleans

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $67,361 in New Orleans.

Conversely, $75,000 in New Orleans equals $83,505 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs New Orleans

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher New Orleans's 95, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $245,000. The $140,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,200/mo in New Orleans, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 99 in New Orleans. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $470/month in New Orleans. 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 91 in New Orleans. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $364 in New Orleans. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 94 in New Orleans. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $43,258 in New Orleans. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $44,596 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 $1,009/month in New Orleans. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In New Orleans, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Orleans is 11.3% more affordable overall with an index of 97 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,361 in New Orleans, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while New Orleans's is 95 with median homes at $245,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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