For one person, living costs in Denton, TX are estimated at $2,314 a month, including rent and utilities – 17% below the national average. Rent and utilities take more than half of the total.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Denton, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $2,314 monthly including rent, or $1,046 excluding housing.
$2,314 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,581 with rent, or $1,818 without housing.
$3,581 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,848 including rent, or $2,591 for daily expenses alone.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.4K$26.4K
$23.8K$23.8K
$29.0K$29.0K
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K$27.5K
$23.5K$23.5K
$27.5K$27.5K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$226$226
$191$191
$302$302
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$67.5$67.5
$39.85$39.85
$99.6$99.6
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.6$74.6
$60.4$60.4
$89.1$89.1
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$33.16$33.16
$15.03$15.03
$221$221
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.88$31.88
$15.10$15.10
$40.26$40.26
Cinema Ticket
$15.96$15.96
$13.97$13.97
$17.96$17.96
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,846$1,846
$908$908
$3,028$3,028
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$20.1K$20.1K
$9,465$9,465
$27.9K$27.9K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.1$52.1
$20.14$20.14
$60.4$60.4
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.3$50.3
$28.10$28.10
$69.8$69.8
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.4$97.4
$73.6$73.6
$147$147
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132$132
$95.8$95.8
$166$166
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,304$1,304
$1,194$1,194
$1,518$1,518
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,071$1,071
$811$811
$1,520$1,520
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,313$2,313
$1,810$1,810
$4,525$4,525
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,966$1,966
$1,630$1,630
$2,547$2,547
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,651$2,651
$2,227$2,227
$10.4K$10.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,187$2,187
$1,869$1,869
$6,941$6,941
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,806$3,806
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.78
5.95
7.58
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: October 3, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Denton, TX$2,314
Denton, TX$4,848
🏠Accommodation & Living
$1.1K 45.4%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$368 15.6%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$346 14.6%
🍽Eating Out
$298 12.6%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$149 6.3%
🚌Getting Around
$65 2.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$65 2.8%
🏠Accommodation & Living
$2K 41%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$436 9.1%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$789 16.5%
🍽Eating Out
$978 20.4%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$332 6.9%
🚌Getting Around
$133 2.8%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$162 3.4%
Cost Breakdown
🏠Expect to pay about $1,304 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,071 outside the center. At 34% of the average salary ($3,806), housing is the biggest financial pressure.
💰Average take-home pay sits at $3,806, while typical expenses reach $2,314. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.
🛒Expect to spend about $346 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $76.0 for two.
🚌Public transport is priced at around $48.03 per month.
Cost Highlights
⭐Milk is cheaper than 92% of cities in North America
⭐Denton, TX is more expensive than 75% globally but cheaper than 57% within North America.
Cost of Living in Denton, TX - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Denton, TX, United States for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Relative to major metros, the Cost of Living in Denton, TX, United States sits in a comfortable middle ground. As a university town near Dallas, rent and daily expenses are typically gentler than in larger cities, while still offering reliable amenities, shops, and dining. You’ll find a spectrum of housing – from compact apartments downtown to vintage homes in walkable neighborhoods – often with better value than in the metro core. Food and transit remain affordable, especially outside peak event periods. For best value, consider longer stays or shared housing that smooths monthly costs. Tip: start your housing search early and compare several neighborhoods.
What does day-to-day life look like in Denton, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking?
On a daily basis, you’ll find practical balance in Denton. Housing options range from walkable downtown lofts to quieter neighborhoods with family homes, and many landlords offer flexible terms for shorter or longer stays. Groceries and casual dining cover a wide range – from farmers markets and ethnic eateries to larger grocery chains – often at reasonable prices for a college town. Transit is workable: you can bike, take buses, or drive; some neighborhoods are more walkable than others, so choose a base near your favorite cafés or coworking spots. Denton, TX, United States living cost insights help you budget groceries, utilities, and coworking if needed. Tip: test commute routes at different times.
What’s the quality of life like in Denton, and what budgeting strategies and neighborhoods fit best for different lifestyles?
Quality of life in Denton blends college-town energy with small-city calm. A practical budgeting approach is to balance housing with shared spaces, plan meals, and take advantage of public libraries and community programs. Seasonality affects outings and energy use, so adapt by shifting outdoor activities to milder days and using energy-efficient habits in the heat. Neighborhood fit matters: Downtown offers walkable streets, cafes, and events; West and East Denton balance quieter residential blocks with parks and quick commutes. Embrace co-working spaces and local markets to cut costs on commuting and meals. Tip: map a short shortlist of a few neighborhoods before you commit.
Is Denton, TX expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Denton, TX is moderately priced at about $2,314 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
What percentage of income goes to rent in Denton, TX?
With 34% of the average paycheck going to rent, Denton, TX is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.
Can you save money on an average salary in Denton, TX?
At $3,806 take-home, most residents in Denton, TX can cover the $2,314 monthly cost of living. Those earning $3,471 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Denton, TX?
Where you live in Denton, TX makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,304; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,071. Overall, the market runs from $1,071 to $1,304 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
How expensive is a gym membership in Denton, TX?
A regular gym membership in Denton, TX costs around $33.16 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
What is a typical grocery budget in Denton, TX?
Expect to spend around $346 per month on groceries in Denton, TX. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
Can a person live on $2,000 monthly in Denton, TX?
Living on $2,000 in Denton, TX means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,314. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Denton, TX?
Denton, TX offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, and at around $2,314 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Denton, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared