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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Denton

Texas
100

San Diego is 97% more expensive than Denton.

$2,223/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,344/mo ↓ 40%
$104,321/yr ↑ 42%
Median Income
$73,719/yr ↓ 29%
$848,500 ↑ 161%
Home Value
$325,700 ↓ 62%
$2,308/mo ↑ 58%
Owner Costs
$1,461/mo ↓ 37%
1,385,061
Population
146,987

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Denton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $879/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $10,548/year.

Median household income is $30,602/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 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

San Diego vs Denton — common questions

Is San Diego or Denton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Denton?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Denton it's $1,344/month — a difference of $879/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Denton?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $73,719 in Denton. Median household income is $30,602/year higher in San Diego.
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 San Diego or Denton?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/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 San Diego details → View Denton details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for San Diego and Denton

San Diego vs. San Antonio San Diego vs. Dallas San Diego vs. Philadelphia San Diego vs. San Jose San Diego vs. Phoenix San Diego vs. Austin Denton vs. Savannah Denton vs. Syracuse Denton vs. Rockford Denton vs. McAllen Denton vs. Bridgeport Denton vs. Olathe