Cost Of Living In Denton 2025: A Practical Guide For Students

Denton, Texas, blends small-town comfort with a lively student atmosphere, making it one of the most sought-after college cities in the U.S. Home to the University of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Woman’s University (TWU), Denton attracts thousands of students every year looking for affordable living, music culture, and a friendly community. The city offers a budget-friendly lifestyle compared to major Texas metros like Austin or Dallas, while still giving students access to modern amenities, outdoor spaces, and an energetic arts scene.

For 2025, the average cost of living in Denton ranges between $1,250 and $1,650 per month, depending on housing choices, lifestyle, and proximity to campus. Rent contributes the most to monthly expenses, followed by groceries, utilities, and transportation. The good news? The cost of living in Denton TX remains relatively affordable, especially if you choose shared student housing or apartments near UNT or TWU.

This guide breaks down the complete cost of living in Denton for students, covering rent, food, transportation, utilities, safety, and more. If you're planning your move, here’s your complete 2025 student budget guide.

Average Cost of Living in Denton

Understanding the Denton cost of living can help students budget better before arriving on campus. On average, students spend $1,250–$1,650 monthly, which places Denton below Texas metros like Austin, Plano, or Houston in affordability.

The cost of living in Denton for students varies based on accommodation type, location, and dining habits. Students who choose shared rooms, cook meals at home, and use campus buses can significantly reduce their overall costs.

Below is a detailed breakdown of living expenses in Denton for students:

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Expense Category	Budget ($)	Mid-Range ($)	Premium ($)
Accommodation	$550 – $750	$850 – $1,050	$1,200 – $1,450
Food & Groceries	$200 – $260	$280 – $350	$400 – $450
Transport	$40 – $65	$70 – $90	$110 – $150
Utilities & Internet	$110 – $160	$170 – $210	$220 – $260
Entertainment	$60 – $100	$120 – $170	$200 – $250
Health Insurance	$80 – $130	$140 – $180	$200+
Phone Plan	$25 – $35	$40 – $55	$60 – $70

Students who select cheap student accommodation Denton or shared units near campus can comfortably stay within $1,300/month.

Housing Costs in Denton

Accommodation is the biggest deciding factor in the Denton Texas cost of living. The city offers a variety of student-friendly neighborhoods and options, including shared apartments, private rooms, furnished studios, and all-inclusive purpose-built student housing.

Popular areas near the University of North Texas include:

1. Fry Street

Eagle Historic District
West Oak
Welch Street

For Texas Woman’s University, neighborhoods like:

Congress Street
Windsor Drive
TWU Triangle

Here’s an overview of average weekly rent for students in key neighborhoods:

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Neighbourhood	1-Bedroom ($/month)	2-Bedroom ($/month)	3-Bedroom ($/month)
Fry Street	$1,050 – $1,300	$1,450 – $1,850	$2,100 – $2,600
Eagle Historic District	$1,000 – $1,250	$1,400 – $1,800	$2,000 – $2,500
Near UNT Campus	$900 – $1,150	$1,350 – $1,650	$1,900 – $2,400
Downtown Denton	$1,100 – $1,350	$1,500 – $1,900	$2,150 – $2,700
Near TWU	$900 – $1,200	$1,350 – $1,700	$1,850 – $2,350

Students choosing student apartments Denton near major bus routes or within walking distance of campus through amber to save significantly on transportation.

Shared units typically range between $550 and $750 per month, while private studios fall between $1,100 and $1,450 per month.

Food & Grocery Costs

Food plays a major role in shaping the average cost of living in Denton. Students who meal-prep and buy groceries weekly can maintain a comfortable budget.

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Household Type	Budget ($)	Premium ($)
Single Student	$45 – $70	$90 – $110
Two Students	$90 – $130	$160 – $200

Eating Out Costs in Denton

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Dining Option	Average Cost ($)
Coffee	$3 – $5
Breakfast	$8 – $12
Lunch Specials	$10 – $16
Dinner Entrées	$14 – $22
Takeaway/ Fast Food	$7 – $12

Popular student hangouts near UNT, like Fry Street, Cartwright’s, and West Oak Coffee Bar, offer budget-friendly options. Balancing home-cooked meals with occasional dining out helps maintain manageable living expenses in Denton for students.

Money-saving tips:

Shop at Aldi, Walmart Neighborhood Market, and Kroger.
Use student discounts via UNiDAYS or campus programs.
Meal prep weekly to minimize waste.

Transportation Costs in Denton

Denton is compact, bike-friendly, and has excellent public transit options—helping students manage the cost of living in Denton TX easily.

Most students rely on:

Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) buses
UNT’s Eagle Point Shuttle
TWU’s campus shuttles

Transport Costs

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Transport Type	Average Cost ($)	Notes
Local Bus (One-way)	$1.25 – $2	Discounted student fares
Monthly Pass	$40 – $65	Unlimited travel
Bike Rental	$20 – $35/week	Certain hubs on campus
Uber/Lyft	$8 – $17	Short 2–4 mile trips
Train to Dallas	$6 – $12 (one-way)	Via DCTA A-train

Living close to campus or along primary transit routes reduces commuting expenses, especially if you're staying in student apartments Denton.

Utilities & Internet Costs

Utility expenses form a consistent part of the Denton cost of living, especially for students in private rentals. Many furnished student housing in Denton now offer all-inclusive packages, simplifying monthly budgeting.

Monthly Utility Costs

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Utility	Cost ($)
Electricity	$50 – $100
Gas	$25 – $50
Water	$25 – $45
Internet	$50 – $75
Mobile Plan	$25 – $55

Tips to cut utility costs:

Choose all-utilities-included student accommodation.
Share bills with flatmates.
Be mindful of AC/heating usage, especially in the summer months.

Other Student Expenses

Beyond rent and food, students should budget for study materials, health insurance, entertainment, and personal spending.

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Category	Monthly Cost ($)	Notes
Health Insurance	$120 – $180	Mandatory for international students
Study Materials	$50 – $90	Varies by course; art & engineering may spend more
Gym Membership	$20 – $40	UNT Rec Center, Planet Fitness, or LA Fitness
Entertainment	$60 – $140	Movies, nightlife, music events, weekend outings

Denton’s strong music culture—especially around Downtown and UNT’s College of Music—offers many free or low-cost events, making student life exciting without overspending.

Safety & Location

Denton ranks as one of Texas’s safer college towns with strong student-centric neighbourhoods around UNT and TWU. Areas like Fry Street, Downtown, and the UNT Quadrangle are well-lit, walkable, and connected to public transit.

Most student accommodation Denton options are within 10–20 minutes of major campuses, keeping commute times short and daily expenses low.

Example Monthly Student Budget (2025)

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Expense Type	Estimated Cost ($)
Rent (Shared Unit)	$700
Utilities + Internet	$140
Food & Groceries	$250
Transportation	$60
Entertainment	$100
Miscellaneous	$120
Total	$1,370/month

Most students spend between $1,300 and $1,600 monthly, depending on lifestyle and accommodation choice.

Tips for Saving Money

Choose shared student housing Denton to reduce rent.
Use student passes for bus and train travel.
Meal prep and shop at budget-friendly grocery stores.
Attend free concerts and student events at UNT and TWU.
Browse verified affordable listings on amber to find student apartments in Denton that meet your budget.

Conclusion

Denton offers one of the most student-friendly lifestyles in Texas, with affordable housing options, lively neighbourhoods, and excellent connectivity to the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University. While rent and utilities form the largest expenses, food, transportation, and entertainment remain manageable, making the overall cost of living in Denton ideal for both domestic and international students.

If you’re planning to move to this lively Texas college town, explore and book your student accommodation Denton through amber. From modern en-suites and studios to budget shared apartments near campus, amber helps you find a home that fits your student lifestyle and budget effortlessly.