Cost of Living: Denton, TX vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Denton

Texas
100
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Denton is 60% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,344/mo ↓ 37%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 58%
$73,719/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 47%
$325,700 ↓ 76%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 315%
$1,461/mo ↓ 38%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 60%
146,987
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Denton, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $783/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $9,396/year.

Median household income is $34,839/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Denton is $325,700 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Denton residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Denton or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Denton and Berkeley?
Median rent in Denton is $1,344/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $783/month.
Which city has higher income, Denton or Berkeley?
Median household income is $73,719 in Denton and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $34,839/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Denton or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Denton has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,344/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Denton details → View Berkeley details →

More Comparisons

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