City Comparison

Denton vs Oklahoma City

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

The Verdict

24.1%

Living in Oklahoma City costs 24.1% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $60,417 in Oklahoma City.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
68
Oklahoma City
Groceries
98
Denton
95
Oklahoma City
Utilities
90
Denton
92
Oklahoma City
Transportation
87
Denton
100
Oklahoma City
Healthcare
81
Denton
92
Oklahoma City

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $60,417 in Oklahoma City.

Conversely, $75,000 in Oklahoma City equals $93,103 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Oklahoma City

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Oklahoma City's 68, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $195,000. The $190,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,348 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 Oklahoma City, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 95 in Oklahoma City. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $451/month in Oklahoma City. 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 92 in Oklahoma City. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $368 in Oklahoma City. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 92 in Oklahoma City. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $63,745 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 $1,294/month in Oklahoma City. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 58 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma City is 24.1% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $60,417 in Oklahoma City, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Oklahoma City's is 68 with median homes at $195,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases