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

Denton

Texas
100
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Denton is 56% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,344/mo ↓ 44%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 78%
$73,719/yr ↓ 33%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 49%
$325,700 ↓ 69%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 224%
$1,461/mo ↓ 41%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 69%
146,987
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Denton, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,051/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $12,612/year.

Median household income is $36,354/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Denton is $325,700 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Denton or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Denton and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Denton is $1,344/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $1,051/month.
Which city has higher income, Denton or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $73,719 in Denton and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $36,354/year higher in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Denton has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,344/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Denton details → View Costa Mesa details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Denton and Costa Mesa

Denton vs. Savannah Denton vs. Syracuse Denton vs. Rockford Denton vs. McAllen Denton vs. Bridgeport Denton vs. Olathe Costa Mesa vs. Everett Costa Mesa vs. Temecula Costa Mesa vs. Miami Gardens Costa Mesa vs. Ventura Costa Mesa vs. Pueblo Costa Mesa vs. Santa Maria