Denton vs St Cloud
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
St Cloud
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.0%, with St Cloud being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $62,500 in St Cloud.
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 $62,500 in St Cloud.
Conversely, $75,000 in St Cloud equals $90,000 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs St Cloud
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher St Cloud's 82, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $250,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 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 St Cloud, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 101 in St Cloud. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $480/month in St Cloud. 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 95 in St Cloud. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $380 in St Cloud. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 100 in St Cloud. 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 $60,200 in St Cloud. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $66,889 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 $1,405/month in St Cloud. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In St Cloud, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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