Denton, TX vs San Marcos, TX

San Marcos is moderately more affordable than Denton, with a 7.7% lower cost of living index. Denton scores 103 compared to 96 for San Marcos, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Denton can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Denton is $1,344/month compared to $1,299/month in San Marcos — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: San Marcos is more affordable at $269,700 median vs $325,700.

Median household income in Denton is $73,719 compared to $51,030 in San Marcos (+44.5%). While Denton is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Denton spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, less than the 30.5% in San Marcos. The Denton ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.