Moving from Denton, TX to Austin, TX
The 223 mi from Denton to Austin translate to about 3h 60m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
223 mi Β· 3h 60m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Grand Prairie, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Denton (103.09) and Austin (98.066) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Austin: 4.9% above Denton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 36.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 31 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.2 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.9% between Denton and Austin (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Austin compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 223 mi and the route typically takes 3h 60m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Denton vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $73,719 in Denton β a 24.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $354,135 in Denton β a 43.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Austin more expensive than Denton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 4.9% lower than Denton (98.066 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Denton to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 223 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denton.
City profiles: Denton, TX Β· Austin, TX.