Firstly why Denton, Texas?
I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:
- City: Denton
- State: Texas
- Population: 139,869 people
- Denton’s quick summary would be Celebrated for its vibrant music scene, the University of North Texas, and the historic downtown square.
Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:
- How many people move-in: 9,000 annually
- While this many move-out: 8,000 annually
- Net Migration: 1000 more people in (net) annual change
- Non-Citizen Move-in: 300
- Number of Homeless people: 500
You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers a vibrant arts scene and college atmosphere attracting students and families
Perk #1: Denton Demographic Mix & Lifestyle
- The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 35%
- Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 55%
- Largest Local Ethnic Group is White
- The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
- The median income is (and growing) $55,000
- Income Required to Live Comfortably in Denton is $55,000
- Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $0 neutral cash flow
This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?
Perk #2: Housing & Denton’s Cost of Living
- Cost of Living Index: 90 (100 is the US average)
- Annual Property Tax Per House: $2,910
- Property Tax %: 1.85%
- Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,300
- Rent for an average house: $2,100
- Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: University Drive
- Top 5 Growing Areas: Denton, Lewisville, Flower-Mound, Corinth, and probably could include Sanger
- Avg. Age of Homes in Denton: 26 years
- The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 1.9%
If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.
Perk #3: Job Market & Denton’s Economy
- 3 Industries gaining traction in Denton are Education, Healthcare, and Retail
- Denton Job Scene: moderate job market primarily in education and services
- The General Tech Scene: growing tech presence focused on education and local services , ,
- Denton Resident’s pay $1,100 in City Tax alone!
- Local Sales Tax in Denton: 8.25%
- No. of Independent Businesses: 120 (excluding chains and corporates)
- Number of Local Branch Banks: 7
Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.
Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Denton
- Monthly Transportation Costs: $90 on average per person
- Freeway Access: I-35E runs through Denton linking it to the metroplex
- Commute Time: 23 minutes (public & private)
- Main Evening Traffic Area: traffic jams on I-35E
- Transportation Score: 29 out of 100 described as Some Transit
- No. of Vehicles Registered in Denton: 56,000
- Cars registered per Person: 0.4
- No. of Car Washes: 5 in and around the city
- DMV Website for Denton: txdmv.gov
- The Bike-Friendly Score: 66 of 100
- Local Airport: Denton Enterprise
Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.
Perk #5: Denton’s Weather & Natural Factors
- The Most Common Natural Disaster is Tornadoes
- General Weather in Denton is best described as experiences hot summers with mild winters and moderate precipitation
- Winter Weather in Denton i’d describe as mild with sunny days
- Spring Weather in Denton can be described as warm with occasional rain
- Summer’s in Denton are mostly hot and humid
- Fall ( the nicest time) in Denton is usually warm with sunny spells
- How many days in a row over 90°F: 18 days in summer
- Days in a row in Denton below Freezing: 0
- Average Annual Rainfall: 38 inches
- Summer Air Quality is usually good air quality largely supported by local efforts
- Denton Winter Air generally good air quality slight pollution effects
Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.
Perk #6: Denton Education & Schools
- The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
- Number of Colleges and Universities in Denton 3
- While the number of trade schools inside Dentons’s city limits are 3
- Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Denton Public Library
If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.
Perk #7: Healthcare & Denton Stats
- Typical EMS Response Time: 6 minutes
- Registered Full-Time Denton only Doctors is about 30
- Local Hospitals here is 3
- Full-time Denton only Police Officers is about 180
- Crime Rate Index: 30/100
Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.
Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality
- Denton’s Monthly utility bill average is $90
- Denton’s Monthly Gym Membership: $38
- Denton’s Water Quality Score: 70
Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.
Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Denton
- Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 6 annually
- The General Local City Vibe: university town with a mix of culture and outdoor activities
- You might enjoy live music at local venues
- Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Denton offers a lively nightlife focusing on local music arts and an array of dining options for casual evenings
If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.
Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Denton
- The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a range of casual dining and local eateries
- The Number of Independent Restaurants are 25 scattered around Denton
- The Popular Sports Team is Local PickleBall Champs
- Top Level Political Climate in Denton can be described as liberal college town focusing on social justice and environmental issues
- Denton’s Longer standing religious establishment is Denton Bible Church
Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.
Perk #11: Denton Parks & Green Spaces
- Did you know Denton has 20 Parks?
- North Lakes Park is Denton’s Green Space Center
- The local favorite Farmers Market is Denton Farmers Market normally open Saturday 9am-1pm
- Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, biking, and nature events
Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.
Perk #12: Denton Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity
- The Pace of Life in Denton can be described as moderate college-town atmosphere focused on community and arts
- 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Denton exploring parks local festivals hiking activities
- The Cities people commute to from Denton are Dallas 20 miles away Arlington 10 miles away Irving 12 miles away
Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.
8 Drawbacks about Denton or are they?
No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.
- Traffic/Commute Issues
Maybe you read: traffic jams on I-35E. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts. - Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
Denton’s Tornadoes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up. - Pricey Neighborhoods
If University Drive is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Denton are Dallas 20 miles away Arlington 10 miles away Irving 12 miles away. - Crime Rate Concerns
With a 30 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this. - Harsh Climate Contrasts
Denton has 0 days in a row below freezing and 18 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it. - Limited Extra Funds
After general costs of living here in Denton people have an average (positive or negative) $0 neutral cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here. - Homelessness or Social Challenges
500 homeless people living in Denton. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions. - Cultural/Political Mismatch
The general liberal college town focusing on social justice and environmental issues could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Denton.
Retiree & Senior Life in Denton
- Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might qualify for property tax exemptions focused on income-related burdens
- The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale
- Denton Senior Center provides health resources community programs and various activities for seniors
If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.
Moving to Denton, Texas?
If Denton, Texas ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help
As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.
A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Denton, Texas, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!