Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Denton, TX
VS
Richmond, CA
🏆 Denton leads 14 of 23 categories
Denton
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$71,921
Violent Crime Index
54 ✓ Safer
Population
142,262 ✓ Larger
Richmond
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$86,618 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
243⚠ High
Population
115,619
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Denton, TX
Pros
Homes cost $329k less ($296,100 vs $624,800)
78% less violent crime than Richmond
Rent averages $589/mo less ($1,264 vs $1,853)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.8%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (204.2 vs 380/100k)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cons
Median income trails Richmond by $14,697/yr
Richmond, CA
Pros
Households earn $14,697 more per year on average
Cooler summers — July highs near 71°F vs 96°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $624,800
Higher rents — median is $1,853/mo
Violent crime (923.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Denton
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Denton
Violent Crime
78% lower
204.2 vs 923.1 per 100k
Denton
Median Home Value
$329k less
$296,100 vs $624,800
Denton
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.9% unemployment
Denton
Summer Heat
25.1°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 70.8°F
Richmond
Median Income
$14,697
$86,618 vs $71,921/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Denton, TX | Richmond, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $296,100 ✓ Lower | $624,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,264 ✓ Lower | $1,853⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,921 | $86,618 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.7 min ✓ Shorter | 34.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.6% | 11.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 65 ✓ Safer | 198⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 54 ✓ Safer | 243⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 83 ✓ Safer | 132⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (115) ✓ Better | C+ (86) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 22.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 40.0% ✓ Higher | 32.1% |
| High School or Higher | 91.5% ✓ Higher | 79.4% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DENTON ISD | West Contra Costa Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.8°F | 58.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 70.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 38.4" | 24.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 142,262 ✓ Larger | 115,619 |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 51.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.5% | 21.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.2% | 14.3% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Denton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Richmond's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Denton is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Denton leads 14 of 23 categories. Denton wins 14 and Richmond wins 9. 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 Richmond or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($296,100 vs $624,800 median home), income ($71,921 vs $86,618), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Denton, TX and Richmond, CA are about 1,450 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.