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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Denton

Texas
100

San Jose is 154% more expensive than Denton.

$2,617/mo ↑ 95%
Median Rent
$1,344/mo ↓ 49%
$141,565/yr ↑ 92%
Median Income
$73,719/yr ↓ 48%
$1,187,800 ↑ 265%
Home Value
$325,700 ↓ 73%
$2,775/mo ↑ 90%
Owner Costs
$1,461/mo ↓ 47%
990,054
Population
146,987

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Denton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,273/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $15,276/year.

Median household income is $67,846/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs Denton — common questions

Is San Jose or Denton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Denton?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Denton it's $1,344/month — a difference of $1,273/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Denton?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $73,719 in Denton. Median household income is $67,846/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Denton?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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 Jose details → View Denton details →

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