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

Denton

Texas
100
VS

Downey

California
169

Denton is 41% cheaper than Downey.

$1,344/mo ↓ 29%
Median Rent
$1,892/mo ↑ 41%
$73,719/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$87,400/yr ↑ 19%
$325,700 ↓ 55%
Home Value
$728,500 ↑ 124%
$1,461/mo ↓ 27%
Owner Costs
$1,997/mo ↑ 37%
146,987
Population
111,793

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
26.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Denton, TX and Downey, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 169 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $548/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $6,576/year.

Median household income is $13,681/year higher in Downey. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Denton is $325,700 compared to $728,500 in Downey.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton vs Downey — common questions

Is Denton or Downey cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 169 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Denton and Downey?
Median rent in Denton is $1,344/month and in Downey it's $1,892/month — a difference of $548/month.
Which city has higher income, Denton or Downey?
Median household income is $73,719 in Denton and $87,400 in Downey. Median household income is $13,681/year higher in Downey.
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 Downey?
It depends on your priorities. Denton has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,344/mo, while Downey has a cost index of 169 with rent of $1,892/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Denton details → View Downey details →

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