City Comparison

Denton vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Denton

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

Wilmington

Delaware
104
Average
$235,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$46,520
Median Income

The Verdict

3.8%

Living in Wilmington costs 3.8% less than Denton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Denton, you would need $72,222 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
126
Denton
104
Wilmington
Groceries
98
Denton
103
Wilmington
Utilities
90
Denton
106
Wilmington
Transportation
87
Denton
103
Wilmington
Healthcare
81
Denton
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Denton has the same purchasing power as $72,222 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $77,885 in Denton.

Living in Denton vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Denton's housing index of 126 is higher Wilmington's 104, translating to median home prices of $385,000 vs $235,000. The $150,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,756 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,425/mo in Denton compared to $1,200/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Denton and 103 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Denton vs $489/month in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $360 in Denton vs $424 in Wilmington. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 81 in Denton and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $46,520 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,241 and $44,731 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 $1,085/month in Wilmington. In Denton, median rent of $1,425/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wilmington is 3.8% more affordable overall with an index of 104 vs 108.
A $75,000 salary in Denton has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,222 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Denton's housing index is 126 with median homes at $385,000, while Wilmington's is 104 with median homes at $235,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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