Denton County households face rising costs that outpace wages, leaving thousands unable to afford basics
The cost of household essentials in Denton County continues to rise faster than wages, leaving thousands of working families unable to afford the basics, according to new 2024 data from United for ALICE, in partnership with United Way of Denton County and United Ways of Texas. ALICE® refers to households that are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – families who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still cannot afford the basic cost of living in their community.
The latest ALICE Essentials Index shows that the cost of basics – housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and technology – has increased faster than the broader Consumer Price Index for more than a decade. In Texas, the ALICE Essentials Index rose 3.3% annually from 2010 to 2024, and 6.1% annually from 2021 to 2024. These statewide increases directly affect Denton County households, where 28% - more than 1 in 4 - fall below the ALICE threshold and local survival budgets far exceed typical wages.
In 2024, Denton County had 386,447 households. ALICE households made up 22% of all households, and another 6% lived in poverty – together representing more than 110,000 families struggling to afford the basics.
The 2024 ALICE Household Survival Budget shows that the cost of living in Denton County exceeds what some local workers earn. A single adult needs $42,396 per year to cover basic expenses, while an adult with one school-age child requires $56,940. For families, the gap is even more pronounced: two adults with two children need $83,688 annually, and that figure rises to $97,632 when both children require childcare.
To meet these monthly financial realities, Denton County households must earn wages higher than many common local jobs provide. A single adult must earn $21.20 per hour; an adult with one child must earn $28.47 per hour, and two adults with two children must earn a combined $41.84 per hour just to meet the county’s basic survival budget. Some of Denton County’s most common occupations fall below these wage levels, leaving thousands of working families unable to keep up with rising costs.
Financial hardship in Denton County is not evenly distributed. Single female-headed households with children face the highest rates of struggle, with 58% falling below the ALICE Threshold, followed by 38% of single male-headed households with children. Among households without children, 31% of single or cohabiting adults cannot afford basic needs, compared to 11% of married households with children.
Age also plays a significant role. Younger households experience the highest levels of financial strain, with 69% of householders under age 25 living below the ALICE Threshold. Older adults are also disproportionately affected: 39% of households headed by someone age 65 or older cannot afford the basics and threaten their ability to age with dignity.
Despite a modest dip from 2023-2024, financial hardship in Denton County has steadily increased over the last decade. The number of ALICE households rose from 73,901 in 2022 to 86,013 in 2024, reflecting a growing share of working families who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still cannot afford basic necessities. Poverty-level households also increased, rising from 21,707 in 2021 to 24,053 in 2024. These trends highlight a widening affordability gap in the county, even as population and median household income continue to grow.
United Way of Denton County continues to work with partners across the region to address the root causes of financial instability – including access to childcare, affordable housing, transportation, and workforce development.
“Behind every number in this report is a family, a neighbor, or a coworker doing everything they can to make ends meet, said Gary Henderson, President & CEO of United Way of Denton County. “At United Way of Denton County, we work together with our partners to address the struggles these families face every day, and we are committed to mobilizing the resources and opportunities needed to help them thrive.”
Read more Denton County data.
About United For ALICE
United For ALICE is a U.S. research organization driving innovation, research and action to improve life across the country for ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and for all. Through the development of the ALICE measurements, a comprehensive, unbiased picture of financial hardship has emerged. Harnessing this data and research on the mismatch between low-paying jobs and the cost of survival, ALICE partners convene, advocate and collaborate on solutions that promote financial stability at local, state and national levels. This grassroots ALICE movement, led by United Way of Northern New Jersey, has spread to 41 states and the District of Columbia and includes United Ways, corporations, nonprofits and foundations in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin; we are United For ALICE. For more information, visit: UnitedForALICE.org.