Denton TX vs Los Angeles CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Denton, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$354,100
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denton
1,299,553
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.9 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 41.9% | 37.3% | Denton + |
| Black | 23.7% | 8.5% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Los Angeles
16.6%
Los Angeles +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.9% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 16.6% | Los Angeles + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 37.8% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Denton +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Denton +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $956,465 | Denton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 36.3% | Denton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Denton +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Denton +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Denton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Denton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Los Angeles
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Los Angeles
11.9%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 13.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.9% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 62.6°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Denton +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Denton, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 33.8 min | Denton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, while denton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $354,100. On public safety, Denton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Los Angeles. Denton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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