Moving from Richardson, TX to Denton, TX
It is a short 39 mi hop from Richardson, TX to Denton, TX β roughly 48 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
39 mi Β· 48 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, PGBT, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Lewisville, Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richardson | Denton | 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 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.09 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Denton -4.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 38.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Richardson (65.8Β°F) and Denton (65.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, DENTON 2 SE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Denton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 146,987 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $73,719 |
| Median age | 34 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 25.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.72 |
Denton households earn about 0.0% less than Richardson at the median β $96,257 β $73,719 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denton 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 Denton 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 does household income compare in Richardson vs Denton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,719 in Denton vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 23.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Richardson to Denton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 39 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Denton compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $354,135 in Denton vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 19.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Denton compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Denton MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson 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 far is Denton, TX from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 39 mi and the route typically takes 48 min via I 35E and PGBT. 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Denton, TX.