Moving from Denton, TX to Mesquite, TX
It is a 52 mi drive, roughly 1h 4m, between Denton, TX and Mesquite, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
52 mi Β· 1h 4m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, I 635, TX 352 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Dallas, Richardson, Allen, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Denton | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Denton -4.4%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Denton | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.4" | 40.9" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DENTON 2 SE, TX US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Denton | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 146,987 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $73,719 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 31 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.96 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Mesquite average 96Β°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 far is Mesquite, TX from Denton, TX?
The driving distance is 52 mi and the route typically takes 1h 4m via I 35E and I 635. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Denton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $48,440 in the Denton MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Denton vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $73,719 in Denton β a 2.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Denton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $354,135 in Denton β a 26.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Denton to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 52 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· Mesquite, TX.