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

Denton

Texas
100
VS

Fairfield

California
167

Denton is 40% cheaper than Fairfield.

$1,344/mo ↓ 39%
Median Rent
$2,191/mo ↑ 63%
$73,719/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$102,321/yr ↑ 39%
$325,700 ↓ 45%
Home Value
$592,500 ↑ 82%
$1,461/mo ↓ 34%
Owner Costs
$2,226/mo ↑ 52%
146,987
Population
119,985

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Denton, TX and Fairfield, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 167 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $847/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $10,164/year.

Median household income is $28,602/year higher in Fairfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Denton is $325,700 compared to $592,500 in Fairfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton vs Fairfield — common questions

Is Denton or Fairfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 167 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Denton and Fairfield?
Median rent in Denton is $1,344/month and in Fairfield it's $2,191/month — a difference of $847/month.
Which city has higher income, Denton or Fairfield?
Median household income is $73,719 in Denton and $102,321 in Fairfield. Median household income is $28,602/year higher in Fairfield.
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 Fairfield?
It depends on your priorities. Denton has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,344/mo, while Fairfield has a cost index of 167 with rent of $2,191/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Denton details → View Fairfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Denton and Fairfield

Denton vs. Savannah Denton vs. Syracuse Denton vs. Rockford Denton vs. McAllen Denton vs. Bridgeport Denton vs. Olathe Fairfield vs. Berkeley Fairfield vs. Hartford Fairfield vs. Ann Arbor Fairfield vs. West Palm Beach Fairfield vs. Lafayette Fairfield vs. Spring Hill