City Comparison

Denton vs St. Paul

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

St. Paul

Minnesota
100
Average
$260,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$57,718
Median Income

The Verdict

8.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.0%, with St. Paul being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to $69,444 in St. Paul.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
98
St. Paul
Groceries
98
Denton
103
St. Paul
Utilities
90
Denton
97
St. Paul
Transportation
87
Denton
108
St. Paul
Healthcare
81
Denton
105
St. Paul

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $69,444 in St. Paul.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $81,000 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs St. Paul

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $260,000. The $125,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,124 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $57,718 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 $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Paul is 8.0% more affordable overall with an index of 100 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,444 in St. Paul, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while St. Paul's is 98 with median homes at $260,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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