City Comparison

Denton vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

38.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 38.5%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $54,167 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
52
Springfield
Groceries
98
Denton
98
Springfield
Utilities
90
Denton
98
Springfield
Transportation
87
Denton
114
Springfield
Healthcare
81
Denton
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $54,167 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $103,846 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $162,000. The $223,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,496 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $500.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $466/month in Springfield. 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 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield 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 $1,528/month in Springfield. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 38.5% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,167 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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