Denton vs St. Louis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denton
St. Louis
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.0%, with St. Louis being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $62,500 in St. Louis.
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. Louis.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $90,000 in Denton.
Living in Denton vs St. Louis
Housing Costs
Denton's housing index of 126 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $175,000. The $210,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,656 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. Louis, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $461/month in St. Louis. 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. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $380 in St. Louis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 95 in St. Louis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $50,869 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 $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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