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

Sacramento

California
132
VS

Denton

Texas
100

Sacramento is 32% more expensive than Denton.

$1,694/mo ↑ 26%
Median Rent
$1,344/mo ↓ 21%
$83,753/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$73,719/yr ↓ 12%
$484,600 ↑ 49%
Home Value
$325,700 ↓ 33%
$1,752/mo ↑ 20%
Owner Costs
$1,461/mo ↓ 17%
524,802
Population
146,987

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sacramento, CA and Denton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 132 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $350/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $4,200/year.

Median household income is $10,034/year higher in Sacramento. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sacramento is $484,600 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

Sacramento vs Denton — common questions

Is Sacramento or Denton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 132 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Denton?
Median rent in Sacramento is $1,694/month and in Denton it's $1,344/month — a difference of $350/month.
Which city has higher income, Sacramento or Denton?
Median household income is $83,753 in Sacramento and $73,719 in Denton. Median household income is $10,034/year higher in Sacramento.
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 Sacramento or Denton?
It depends on your priorities. Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with median rent of $1,694/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 Sacramento details → View Denton details →

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