Denton TX vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denton
1,299,553
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Denton
23.7%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.1 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 14.6% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 36.1% | Denton + |
| Black | 23.7% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 15.2% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Denton +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Denton +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Denton +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Denton +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $60,698 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $37,669 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.4% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 22.0% | Denton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 34.6% | Denton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Denton +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 48.5 in | Denton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Denton +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Denton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Denton +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Denton, TX | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 34.5 min | Denton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denton leads in median household income at $67,760, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Denton. Denton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Denton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³).
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