Denton TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Denton
1,299,553
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denton
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Denton
33.4
Denton +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Denton
23.4%
Denton +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Denton
41.9%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Denton
23.7%
Denton +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Denton
3.7%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
Denton
41.9%
Denton +
Phoenix
41.8%
Spanish at Home
Denton
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Denton + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 19.0% | Denton + |
| White | 41.9% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 23.7% | 7.8% | Denton + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 41.8% | Denton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denton
$67,760
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Denton
$44,138
Denton +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denton
$63,758
Denton +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Denton
4.9%
Denton +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Denton
17.2%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denton
37.4%
Denton +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $40,309 | Denton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Denton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Denton + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 32.3% | Denton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denton
$354,100
Denton +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Denton
42.4%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $354,100 | $411,323 | Denton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
442
Denton +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denton
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Denton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
35.5%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denton
9.5%
Denton +
Phoenix
10.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denton
19.4%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denton
14.9%
Denton +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denton
18.3%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denton
11.2%
Denton +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.5% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.8% | Denton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.3% | Denton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.2% | Denton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
64.8°F
Denton +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denton
38.1 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8°F | 72.1°F | Denton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.1 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denton
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denton
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denton
28.3 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Denton, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Denton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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