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

Irvine

California
256
VS

Denton

Texas
100

Irvine is 156% more expensive than Denton.

$2,893/mo ↑ 115%
Median Rent
$1,344/mo ↓ 54%
$129,647/yr ↑ 76%
Median Income
$73,719/yr ↓ 43%
$1,115,400 ↑ 242%
Home Value
$325,700 ↓ 71%
$2,904/mo ↑ 99%
Owner Costs
$1,461/mo ↓ 50%
308,160
Population
146,987

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Denton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,549/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $18,588/year.

Median household income is $55,928/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $325,700 in Denton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Denton — common questions

Is Irvine or Denton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Denton?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Denton it's $1,344/month — a difference of $1,549/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Denton?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $73,719 in Denton. Median household income is $55,928/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Denton?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/mo, while Denton has a cost index of 100 with rent of $1,344/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Irvine details → View Denton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Irvine and Denton

Irvine vs. Cincinnati Irvine vs. St. Paul Irvine vs. Santa Ana Irvine vs. Newark Irvine vs. Orlando Irvine vs. Pittsburgh Denton vs. Savannah Denton vs. Syracuse Denton vs. Rockford Denton vs. McAllen Denton vs. Bridgeport Denton vs. Olathe