# Living in Denton, TX: Realust Score 71

> Source: Realust (realust.com), data as of October 2026. Cite: https://realust.com/city/denton/

URL: https://realust.com/city/denton/
County: Denton
Realust Score: 71/100 (B-, Above Average), tied for #66 of 84. Base 71 + price-tier bonus 0.
Category scores: Prosperity 65, Schools 77, Safety 61, Lifestyle 83, Market 75, Affordability 74, Commute 67, Growth 76
Median home price: $347K
Population: 152,866
Market momentum: Growing (home prices -3.2% over 1 year, +9.5% over 5 years)

Denton, TX is a lively, mid-sized college city with a strong arts scene, diverse neighborhoods, solid local amenities, and a mix of small-town charm and growing suburban convenience. Denton’s downtown, two universities (University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University), and year-round cultural events give the city an energetic, walkable core with restaurants, live music, galleries, and a steady stream of student-driven activity. Residential areas range from historic bungalows and established neighborhoods near downtown to newer subdivisions and apartment complexes on the outskirts, offering options for families, students, and professionals. Local services—healthcare, retail, recreation, and public parks—are well developed, and Denton ISD plus nearby private and higher-education institutions make the city attractive to families and students alike. Commuting to Denton from surrounding suburbs is convenient via U.S. and state highways, but travel south toward Frisco, Plano, or Dallas can take longer during peak hours; growth brings more jobs and amenities but also rising home prices, increased traffic, and steady development pressure on formerly quieter neighborhoods.

Strengths:
- Live music venues, murals, galleries, and festivals give Denton a unique, expressive character.
- Universities deliver education options, sporting events, research, and economic drivers.
- A young and multicultural population with a median age in the low 30s and a lively social vibe.
- Parks, trails, and proximity to lakes and green spaces support active outdoor lifestyles.
- A mix of education, manufacturing, health services, and creative industries underpins the local economy.

Trade-offs:
- Population and development have strained infrastructure and increased congestion in some areas.
- Growth and student demand have pushed rents and home prices up in recent years.
- While universities and education sectors are strong, some residents find local job opportunities limited compared with bigger cities.
- Although there is some commuter rail via DCTA A-Train, most residents rely on cars.
- Rapid expansion has brought service and development challenges as the city scales.

Data:
- Demographics / Population: Total Population 152,866; People per sq mile 1,577; 5-Year Growth +12.2%
- Demographics / Mobility & Migration: Moved Last Year 25.2%; Same Home 1+ Year 74.8%; From Out of State 2.8%; From Different County 8.3%
- Demographics / Age Distribution: Under 18 18.2%; 25-34 17.9%; 35-44 11.4%; 65+ 12.5%; Median Age 31.4 years
- Demographics / Households: Avg Household Size 2.5; Family Households 58.0%; Homeownership Rate 50.0%; With Kids 26.3%; Married 43.7%; Single Parent 5.2%; Living Alone 28.5%; Seniors Alone 8.5%
- Demographics / Education Level: High School+ 91.6%; Bachelor's+ 41.7%; Graduate Degree 15.4%
- Demographics / Connectivity & Remote Work: Broadband Access 91.9%; Have Computer 98.1%; Work From Home 12.2%
- Real Estate / Home Prices: Per Sq Ft $194; Starter Home $371,990; Median Price $346,719; Premium Home $598,990
- Real Estate / Home Price Trends: 1-Year Change -3.2%; 5-Year Change +9.5%
- Real Estate / Rent Trends: 1-Year Change -2%; 5-Year Change +20.3%
- Real Estate / Market Health: Active Listings 381; Median Days on Market 75; Under Contract 30.7%; Price Reduced 2%; Sale-to-List Ratio 96.6%
- Real Estate / Market Insights: Cheaper to Rent $425/mo; Seller's market 2.3 mo; Rental Yield 5.2%; Income to Buy 4.6x; vs Region Avg -14%
- Real Estate / Fit Scores: Remote Work Fit 73; Family Fit 49; Investment 70
- Real Estate / Typical Home: Sq Ft 2,611; Beds 3.8; Baths 2.7; Lot Sq Ft 8,249; Year Built 2013; Garage 2.1-car
- Real Estate / Property Mix: Single Family 99.5%; Townhome 0%; Condo 0.5%
- Real Estate / Common Features: Pool 0.5%; Garage 99%; Single Story 38%; Fireplace 9.5%; Central Air 12.5%
- Real Estate / Costs & Ownership: Est. Monthly Payment $1,920; Median Rent $1,495; Avg HOA Fee $149/mo; Have HOA 11.5%
- Real Estate / Investment Indicators: Rental Vacancy 0.7%; New Construction 86%; Per Bedroom $131,388
- Lifestyle / Lifestyle Scores: Area Feel Dense Suburban; Family Friendly 7.3; Outdoor Activities 5.3; Nightlife 8; Health & Fitness 6.7; Diversity 8; Weather 6.7
- Lifestyle / Nearby Amenities (within 5 miles): Restaurants 60+; Parks 57; Gyms 57; Grocery 11; Coffee 60+; Bars 60+; Theaters 4; Daycares 60+; Hospitals 36; Pharmacies 34; Dentists 60+; Libraries 12; Dog Parks 60+; Museums 8
- Lifestyle / Getting Around: Walk Score 24; Bike Score 37; Transit Score 16
- Lifestyle / Seasonal Temperatures (high / low): January 56° / 38°; April 74° / 55°; July 95° / 77°; October 77° / 58°
- Lifestyle / Annual Conditions: Sunny Days/Year 225; Rainy Days/Year 140; Annual Rainfall 47.3"
- Crime & Safety / Safety Overview: Safety Grade C+; Violent crime (per 1,000) 2.32; Property crime (per 1,000) 19.62
- Crime & Safety / Violent Crime (per 100,000): Assault 116.06; Robbery 26.13; Murder 3.27; Rape 57.73
- Crime & Safety / Property Crime (per 100,000): Burglary 133.08; Theft 1470.54; Vehicle Theft 140.98
- Job Market / Income: Median Household $76,019; Average Household $98,819; Per Capita $38,167
- Job Market / Employment: Unemployment Rate 5.1%; Job Growth (1 yr) +2.6%; Poverty Rate 15.8%
- Job Market / Income Distribution: $150k+ 19.2%; $100k-$150k 17.7%; $75k-$100k 13.6%; $50k-$75k 15.3%; $25k-$50k 18.4%; Under $25k 15.7%
- Job Market / Industries & Employers: Major Industries Education, Healthcare, Retail, Government; Top Employers University of North Texas, Texas Womans University, Denton ISD, Denton Regional Medical, City of Denton
- Education / School District: Primary district Denton ISD; District Grade B+; State Ranking Top 55%
- Education / Schools: Elementary 26; Middle 9; High School 8
- Education / Elementary Schools: Blanton Elementary A (91); Hawk Elementary A (91)
- Education / Middle Schools: Mcmath Middle C (78); Strickland Middle C (74)
- Education / High Schools: Fred Moore High School A (96); Guyer High School A (92)
- Education / Academic Info: Student-Teacher Ratio 13.8:1
- Education / Graduation Rates (Class of 2024): Graduation Rate 97.9%; Dropout Rate 1.0%
- Education / College Readiness (Class of 2023): Took SAT/ACT 90%; College Ready 14.3%; TSI Ready 25.5%
- Transportation / Mobility Scores: Walk Score 24; Bike Score 37; Transit Score 16
- Transportation / Commute: Avg Minutes 24; Drive Alone 69.3%; Carpool 11.3%; Work from Home 12.2%
- Transportation / Distance To: Downtown Dallas 39.4 mi; DFW Airport 27.3 mi; Love Field 35.9 mi
- Transportation / EV Charging: Public Stations 30; DC Fast Ports 38; Level 2 Ports 45
- Transportation / Major Highway Access: Highways I-35E, I-35W, US-380, Loop 288
- Cost of Living / Cost Index (100 = National Average): Overall 92; Housing 95; Utilities 96; Groceries 98; Transportation 98; Healthcare 98
- Cost of Living / Monthly Utilities: Electric $132; Water $48; Gas $42; Internet $68
- Cost of Living / Everyday Costs: Monthly Groceries (Family of 4) $785; Gas Price (per gallon) $2.78
- Cost of Living / Taxes: Sales Tax Rate 8.3%; Property Tax Rate 2.1%

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