Austin vs Fort Worth
Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth is 15% more affordable than Austin.

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At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Fort Worth, TX

COL index93 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo ✓
Median home price$315K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexFort Worth indexDifference
Housing144121 ✓-23%
Groceries10489 ✓-15%
Transportation10590 ✓-15%
Healthcare10790 ✓-17%
Utilities10491 ✓-13%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: Austin → Fort Worth

What salary in Fort Worth gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in Fort WorthDifference
$60,000$51,000$-9,000
$80,000$68,000$-12,000
$100,000$85,000$-15,000
$130,000$110,000$-20,000
$150,000$127,000$-23,000
$200,000$169,000$-31,000

Austin vs Fort Worth: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Fort Worth, TX, Fort Worth comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 93 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 15%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $315,000 in Fort Worth. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,280/month in Fort Worth.

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