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

Denton

Texas
100
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Denton is 67% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$1,344/mo ↓ 55%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 122%
$73,719/yr ↓ 58%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 136%
$325,700 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 369%
$1,461/mo ↓ 52%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 109%
146,987
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Denton, TX and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,641/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $19,692/year.

Median household income is $99,951/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Denton is $325,700 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Denton vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Denton or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Denton and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Denton is $1,344/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $1,641/month.
Which city has higher income, Denton or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $73,719 in Denton and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $99,951/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Denton has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,344/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Denton details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Denton and Santa Clara

Denton vs. Savannah Denton vs. Syracuse Denton vs. Rockford Denton vs. McAllen Denton vs. Bridgeport Denton vs. Olathe Santa Clara vs. Carrollton Santa Clara vs. Fargo Santa Clara vs. New Haven Santa Clara vs. Norman Santa Clara vs. Sterling Heights Santa Clara vs. Lewisville