Denton vs Olympia
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Olympia
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 3.6%, with Denton being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $77,778 in Olympia.
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 Olympia.
Conversely, $75,000 in Olympia equals $72,321 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Olympia
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is lower Olympia's 131, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $495,000. The $110,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,152 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,600/mo in Olympia, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 105 in Olympia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $499/month in Olympia. Denton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 90 in Denton and 91 in Olympia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $364 in Olympia. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 124 in Olympia. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 43-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 $81,300 in Olympia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $72,589 respectively. Olympia 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 $1,897/month in Olympia. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Olympia, median rent of $1,600/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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