City Comparison

Denton vs Tyler

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Tyler

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$250,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$54,800
Median Income

The Verdict

27.1%

Tyler is 27.1% less expensive than Denton overall. A household earning $75,000 in Denton would need approximately $59,028 in Tyler to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
69
Tyler
Groceries
98
Denton
96
Tyler
Utilities
90
Denton
97
Tyler
Transportation
87
Denton
92
Tyler
Healthcare
81
Denton
93
Tyler

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $59,028 in Tyler.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tyler equals $95,294 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Tyler

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Tyler's 69, 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 $1,075/mo in Tyler, a monthly difference of $350.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 96 in Tyler. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $456/month in Tyler. 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 Tyler. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $388 in Tyler. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 93 in Tyler. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $54,800 in Tyler. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $64,471 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 $1,279/month in Tyler. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Tyler, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 57 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tyler is 27.1% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,028 in Tyler, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Tyler's is 69 with median homes at $250,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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