Moving from Denton, TX to El Paso, TX

It is 640 mi between Denton and El Paso β€” roughly 10h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.

640 mi Β· 10h 49m by car Β· TX

COL -12.8% Home values -33.7% Ξ” +0.8Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
640 mi
Drive time
10h 49m
States
1
Fuel (25 mpg)
26 gal
Route throughTX
Primary highwaysI 20, I 10, US 180
Major cities en routeOdessa, Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

DentonEl PasoU.S. avg
All items (RPP)103.0989.912100.0
Rents90.71182.585100.0
Goods102.83893.757100.0
Services117.87471.248100.0

Expect about 12.8% lower overall cost of living β€” BEA RPP 2024 has El Paso at 89.912 vs Denton at 103.09.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Denton β€” typical home
$354,135
El Paso β€” typical home
$234,775
Denton β€” typical rent
$1,502/mo
El Paso β€” typical rent
$1,461/mo

Expect roughly 12.8% lower home prices β€” ZHVI goes from $354,135 to $234,775 moving to El Paso.

YoY change: Denton -4.4%, El Paso +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsDentonEl Paso
Annual avg temperature65Β°F66Β°F
January avg low34Β°F35Β°F
July avg high96Β°F96Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”2.8"
Annual precipitation38.4"8.8"

Annual average temperatures in Denton (65.4Β°F) and El Paso (66.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).

El Paso averages 2.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals β€” a light winter by U.S. standards.

Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, EL PASO INTL AP, TX US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023DentonEl Paso
Population146,987678,147
Median household income$73,719$58,734
Median age3134.1
Bachelor's degree or higher25.9%18.3%
Avg household size2.722.8

El Paso households earn about 12.8% less than Denton at the median β€” $73,719 β†’ $58,734 on ACS 2023.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Denton MSA β€” median wage
$48,440
El Paso MSA β€” median wage
$36,000
Denton MSA β€” employment
3,966,500
El Paso MSA β€” employment
323,310

Top occupations in El Paso MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian wage
Office and Administrative Support Occupations 44,500 $35,550
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations 34,790 $23,150
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations 32,160 $33,850
Sales and Related Occupations 31,050 $28,800
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations 23,040 $61,670

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Best time to move

Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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 El Paso average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
  • Dry climate: El Paso sees only 8.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
  • 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 household income compare in Denton vs El Paso?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $58,734 in El Paso vs $73,719 in Denton β€” a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

How much do homes cost in El Paso compared to Denton?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $234,775 in El Paso vs $354,135 in Denton β€” a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

When is the best time to move from Denton to El Paso?

Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 640 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β€” see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.

How does the job market in El Paso compare to Denton?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $36,000 in the El Paso MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 323,310 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.

Is El Paso more expensive than Denton?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Paso is 12.8% lower than Denton (89.912 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

How far is El Paso, TX from Denton, TX?

The driving distance is 640 mi and the route typically takes 10h 49m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Denton.

City profiles: Denton, TX Β· El Paso, TX.

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