City Comparison

Denton vs Philadelphia

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania
106
Above Average
$240,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,127
Median Income

The Verdict

1.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 1.9%, with Philadelphia being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $73,611 in Philadelphia.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
107
Philadelphia
Groceries
98
Denton
104
Philadelphia
Utilities
90
Denton
113
Philadelphia
Transportation
87
Denton
108
Philadelphia
Healthcare
81
Denton
101
Philadelphia

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $73,611 in Philadelphia.

Conversely, $75,000 in Philadelphia equals $76,415 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Philadelphia

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Philadelphia's 107, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $240,000. The $145,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,420 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,400/mo in Philadelphia, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 104 in Philadelphia. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $494/month in Philadelphia. 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 113 in Philadelphia. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $452 in Philadelphia. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 101 in Philadelphia. 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 $49,127 in Philadelphia. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $46,346 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 $1,146/month in Philadelphia. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Philadelphia is 1.9% more affordable overall with an index of 106 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,611 in Philadelphia, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Philadelphia's is 107 with median homes at $240,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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