Denton TX vs Midland TX — 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%
Midland, TX
Texas · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$330,788
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denton
1,299,553
Midland
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Midland
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Midland
N/A
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Midland
N/A
White
Denton
41.9%
Midland
N/A
Black
Denton
23.7%
Midland
N/A
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Midland
N/A
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Midland
N/A
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 41.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 23.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.7% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Midland
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Midland
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Midland
N/A
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Midland
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Midland
$330,788
Midland +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $330,788 | Midland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Midland
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Midland
2339
Tie
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Denton +
Midland
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Midland
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Midland
17.6%
Midland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Denton +
Midland
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Denton +
Midland
18.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Midland
12.5%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 36.0% | Denton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.3% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.6% | Midland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 19.6% | Denton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 18.8% | Denton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.5% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Denton +
Midland
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Midland
14.8 in
Midland +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 65.6°F | Denton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 14.8 in | Midland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Midland
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Midland
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Midland
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Midland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Midland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,788. On public safety, Midland is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Denton. Midland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.5%.
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