Denton vs Odessa
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Odessa
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.1%, with Odessa being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $59,028 in Odessa.
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 $59,028 in Odessa.
Conversely, $75,000 in Odessa equals $95,294 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Odessa
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Odessa's 72, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $223,000. The $162,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,536 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,150/mo in Odessa, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 96 in Odessa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $456/month in Odessa. 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 100 in Odessa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $400 in Odessa. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 96 in Odessa. 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 $73,500 in Odessa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $86,471 respectively. Odessa 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 $1,715/month in Odessa. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Odessa, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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