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

Sunnyvale

California
341
VS

Denton

Texas
100

Sunnyvale is 241% more expensive than Denton.

$3,065/mo ↑ 128%
Median Rent
$1,344/mo ↓ 56%
$181,862/yr ↑ 147%
Median Income
$73,719/yr ↓ 59%
$1,816,600 ↑ 458%
Home Value
$325,700 ↓ 82%
$3,016/mo ↑ 106%
Owner Costs
$1,461/mo ↓ 52%
153,455
Population
146,987

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Sunnyvale, CA and Denton, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 341 and 100 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,721/month cheaper in Denton, saving renters about $20,652/year.

Median household income is $108,143/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Sunnyvale is $1,816,600 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

Sunnyvale vs Denton — common questions

Is Sunnyvale or Denton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Denton is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Sunnyvale and Denton?
Median rent in Sunnyvale is $3,065/month and in Denton it's $1,344/month — a difference of $1,721/month.
Which city has higher income, Sunnyvale or Denton?
Median household income is $181,862 in Sunnyvale and $73,719 in Denton. Median household income is $108,143/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale or Denton?
It depends on your priorities. Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with median rent of $3,065/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 Sunnyvale details → View Denton details →

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