Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denton, TX
VS
Elk Grove, CA
🏆 Elk Grove leads 13 of 23 categories
Denton
Texas
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,921
Violent Crime Index
54
Population
142,262
Elk Grove
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,864 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
50 ✓ Safer
Population
176,105 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denton, TX
Pros
Homes cost $264k less ($296,100 vs $560,500)
Rent averages $812/mo less ($1,264 vs $2,076)
Violent crime is well below the national average (204.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 40.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Elk Grove by $43,943/yr
Elk Grove, CA
Pros
Households earn $43,943 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (189.9 vs 380/100k)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $560,500
Higher rents — median is $2,076/mo
Higher unemployment (6.4% vs 4.8%)
Longer commutes — 33.1 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
Denton
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 108.9 (100 = US avg)
Denton
Median Home Value
$264k less
$296,100 vs $560,500
Denton
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.4% unemployment
Denton
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 92.6°F
Elk Grove
Median Income
$43,943
$115,864 vs $71,921/yr
Elk Grove
Violent Crime
7% lower
189.9 vs 204.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denton, TX | Elk Grove, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 108.9⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $296,100 ✓ Lower | $560,500⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,264 ✓ Lower | $2,076⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,921 | $115,864 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.7 min ✓ Shorter | 33.1 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 16.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 65 | 53 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 54 | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 | 59 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 37.0% |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% ✓ Higher | 90.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DENTON ISD | Elk Grove Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.8°F | 56.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 92.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.4" | 18.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,262 | 176,105 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 38.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 73.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.5% | 25.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 13.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Elk Grove's 108.9 (US average = 100).
Denton is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Elk Grove leads 13 of 23 categories. Denton wins 10 and Elk Grove wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Denton to Elk Grove or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($296,100 vs $560,500 median home), income ($71,921 vs $115,864), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denton, TX and Elk Grove, CA are about 1,400 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.