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Denton County (county seat) · TX

Cost of living in Denton, TX

By Mariela Lovo Ol, REALTOR® · Updated

The cost of living in Denton, TX starts with housing and property taxes, then adds a city utility bill that often includes electricity. Texas has no state personal income tax. Here is what to budget, line by line, with sourced figures only.

What does housing cost in Denton?

Prices shift too often to print here, so the live market figures on this page come from the MLS feed. Older homes near the Square, university-area houses and new master-planned homes can all fit different budgets. Browse Denton homes for sale to see today's options.

How much are property taxes in Denton?

For FY 2026-27, the City of Denton adopted $0.548485 per $100 of value, down from $0.595420. Denton County adopted $0.183394, and Denton ISD adopted $1.1528, down from the prior year.

Some addresses are in other school districts or special districts, which changes the total. See property taxes in Denton for exemptions, the 10% cap and protest deadlines.

How do utilities work in Denton?

The City of Denton provides electricity through Denton Municipal Electric in much of the area, plus water, wastewater, drainage and solid waste. DME is community-owned, and the City Council sets its rates. In September 2026, the Council paused a proposed 3% DME increase until January 1 for more review.

The City is the only solid waste provider inside city limits. Ask the seller for a year of utility bills, because summer cooling drives the electric line.

What should you budget for insurance?

The National Weather Service says large hail, damaging winds, flooding and tornadoes occur nearly every year somewhere in the Metroplex. The Texas Department of Insurance notes that roof coverage at actual cash value pays less as the roof ages.

Get quotes early, ask for the hail deductible in dollars, and check the FEMA flood map for lots near creeks.

What does getting around Denton cost?

Most trips are by car on I-35E, I-35W and US 380. DCTA's A-train runs 21 miles to Trinity Mills in Carrollton, where it connects to DART. A local day pass is $3, a monthly pass is $48 and a regional day pass that includes DART is $9. GoZone on-demand rides start at $1.50.

If your commute uses NTTA toll roads, get a TollTag; NTTA says ZipCash bills by mail cost twice as much.

What are the sales and income tax rates in Denton?

Denton's combined sales tax rate is 8.25%: 6.25% state, 1.5% city and 0.5% for DCTA, according to the Texas Comptroller's rate list. Texas has no personal income tax.

Put every line into the mortgage calculator, and read the Denton community guide for daily life.

Common questions

Can I shop for electricity in Denton?

Usually not if Denton Municipal Electric serves the address. The Public Utility Commission explains that city-owned utilities decide whether to join retail choice, and their city councils set rates. Confirm the provider before you buy.

What is Denton's sales tax rate?

It is 8.25% combined. That includes 6.25% for the state, 1.5% for the City and 0.5% for the Denton County Transportation Authority.

Did Denton's property tax rate go down for 2026-27?

The City adopted $0.548485 per $100 for FY 2026-27, down from $0.595420. Denton ISD also lowered its rate to $1.1528. Your bill still depends on your appraised value and exemptions.

Sources

  1. QuickFacts: Denton city, Texas (with Fort Worth, Southlake, Grapevine, Flower Mound), U.S. Census Bureau (read 2026-09-24)
  2. Denton, Texas (coordinates, county seat, school districts), Wikipedia (read 2026-09-24)
  3. Attendance zones, Denton ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  4. Student transfers, Denton ISD (read 2026-09-24)
  5. Voters pass Denton ISD’s Prop A, KERA News (read 2026-09-24)
  6. Denton Square District, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  7. Historic designations, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  8. Historic tax exemptions, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  9. Rayzor Ranch Overlay District, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  10. Robson Ranch, Texas, Robson Communities (read 2026-09-24)
  11. Civic Center Pool, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  12. Water Works Park, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  13. Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum, Denton County (read 2026-09-24)
  14. Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  15. North Lakes Park, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  16. Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (read 2026-09-24)
  17. A-train Rail Trail, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  18. A-train, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  19. GoZone on-demand, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  20. Fare information, Denton County Transportation Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  21. Medical City Denton, Medical City Healthcare (read 2026-09-24)
  22. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton, Texas Health Resources (read 2026-09-24)
  23. About DME, Denton Municipal Electric (City of Denton) (read 2026-09-24)
  24. Utilities, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  25. Solid waste service requirements, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  26. Denton officials pass FY 2026-27 budget and tax rate, Community Impact (read 2026-09-24)
  27. Denton County adopts budget with lower tax rate, Cross Timbers Gazette (read 2026-09-24)
  28. Homestead exemptions, Denton Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  29. The protest process, Denton Central Appraisal District (read 2026-09-24)
  30. Emergency Warning Systems, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  31. About UNT, University of North Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  32. About TWU, Texas Woman’s University (read 2026-09-24)
  33. Property tax exemptions, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  34. Property tax protests and appeals, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  35. Property tax basics, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  36. Starting a New Business (Fiscal Notes), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  37. Municipally-Owned Electric Utilities and Electric Cooperatives FAQs, Public Utility Commission of Texas (read 2026-09-24)
  38. Dallas/Fort Worth Climate Narrative, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  39. North and Central Texas tornado climatology, National Weather Service Fort Worth (read 2026-09-24)
  40. Home insurance guide, Texas Department of Insurance (read 2026-09-24)
  41. Texas Water Code Section 49.452 – Notice to Purchasers, Texas Water Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  42. FEMA Flood Map Service Center, FEMA (read 2026-09-24)
  43. Texas Public Schools accountability ratings, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  44. 2026 Statewide Multi-Year Ratings Spreadsheet, Texas Education Agency (read 2026-09-24)
  45. Don't Piddle Around with PID Notices, Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University (read 2026-09-24)
  46. NTTA home page (TollTag and ZipCash), North Texas Tollway Authority (read 2026-09-24)
  47. 5 Tips for Buying New Construction, Freddie Mac (read 2026-09-24)
  48. Contracts (promulgated forms), Texas Real Estate Commission (read 2026-09-24)
  49. Sales and Use Tax (state rate and local limit), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  50. City Sales and Use Tax Rates (downloadable city rate list), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  51. Valuing Property (10 percent residence homestead limitation), Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (read 2026-09-24)
  52. Texas Property Code Section 202.022 – Swimming Pool Enclosures, Texas Property Code (via texas.public.law) (read 2026-09-24)
  53. Denton ISD lowers tax rate, saves median homeowners $345, Community Impact (read 2026-09-24)
  54. Swimming Pools, City of Denton (read 2026-09-24)
  55. Hillwood's massive Landmark neighborhood in Denton nears milestone, Hillwood (read 2026-09-24)
  56. About Us, Hunter Ranch Improvement District No. 1 (read 2026-09-24)
  57. Cole Ranch in North Texas, Johnson Development (read 2026-09-24)
  58. Tax Rates in Denton, TX (sales tax breakdown), Denton Economic Development Partnership (read 2026-09-24)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-24. Descriptions cover places and amenities, not the people who live there. We are committed to the Fair Housing Act.