Fort Worth vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth is 18% less expensive than Austin.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Fort Worth, TX

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

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryFort Worth indexAustin indexDifference
Housing121 ✓144+23%
Groceries89 ✓104+15%
Transportation90 ✓105+15%
Healthcare90 ✓107+17%
Utilities91 ✓104+13%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Fort Worth → Austin

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

Salary in Fort WorthEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$71,000+$11,000
$80,000$95,000+$15,000
$100,000$118,000+$18,000
$130,000$154,000+$24,000
$150,000$177,000+$27,000
$200,000$237,000+$37,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Fort Worth, TX and Austin, TX, Fort Worth comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 93 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 18%.

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

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