Denton vs Plano
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
Plano
The Verdict
Denton is 0.9% less expensive than Plano overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $75,694 in Plano to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $75,694 in Plano.
Conversely, $75,000 in Plano equals $74,312 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs Plano
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Plano's 123, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $400,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,700/mo in Plano, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 98 in Plano. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $466/month in Plano. 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 99 in Plano. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $396 in Plano. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 100 in Plano. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $96,348 in Plano. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $88,393 respectively. Plano 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 $2,248/month in Plano. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 19 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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