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

Los Angeles

California
187
VS

Denton

Texas
100

Los Angeles is 87% more expensive than Denton.

$1,879/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$1,344/mo ↓ 28%
$80,366/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$73,719/yr ↓ 8%
$879,500 ↑ 170%
Home Value
$325,700 ↓ 63%
$2,055/mo ↑ 41%
Owner Costs
$1,461/mo ↓ 29%
3,857,897
Population
146,987

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

28.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Los Angeles, CA and Denton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 187 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $535/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $6,420/year.

Median household income is $6,647/year higher in Los Angeles. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Los Angeles is $879,500 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

Los Angeles vs Denton — common questions

Is Los Angeles or Denton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 187 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Los Angeles and Denton?
Median rent in Los Angeles is $1,879/month and in Denton it's $1,344/month — a difference of $535/month.
Which city has higher income, Los Angeles or Denton?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles and $73,719 in Denton. Median household income is $6,647/year higher in Los Angeles.
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 Los Angeles or Denton?
It depends on your priorities. Los Angeles has a cost index of 187 with median rent of $1,879/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 Los Angeles details → View Denton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Los Angeles and Denton

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