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

Palmdale

California
130
VS

Denton

Texas
100

Palmdale is 30% more expensive than Denton.

$1,736/mo ↑ 29%
Median Rent
$1,344/mo ↓ 23%
$81,151/yr ↑ 10%
Median Income
$73,719/yr ↓ 9%
$435,300 ↑ 34%
Home Value
$325,700 ↓ 25%
$1,831/mo ↑ 25%
Owner Costs
$1,461/mo ↓ 20%
165,487
Population
146,987

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Palmdale, CA and Denton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 130 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $392/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $4,704/year.

Median household income is $7,432/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Palmdale is $435,300 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

Palmdale vs Denton — common questions

Is Palmdale or Denton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Palmdale and Denton?
Median rent in Palmdale is $1,736/month and in Denton it's $1,344/month — a difference of $392/month.
Which city has higher income, Palmdale or Denton?
Median household income is $81,151 in Palmdale and $73,719 in Denton. Median household income is $7,432/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale or Denton?
It depends on your priorities. Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with median rent of $1,736/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 Palmdale details → View Denton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Palmdale and Denton

Palmdale vs. Springfield Palmdale vs. Salinas Palmdale vs. Fort Collins Palmdale vs. Hayward Palmdale vs. Lancaster Palmdale vs. Corona Denton vs. Savannah Denton vs. Syracuse Denton vs. Rockford Denton vs. McAllen Denton vs. Bridgeport Denton vs. Olathe