Fort Worth vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 2% more affordable than Fort Worth.

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

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryFort Worth indexHouston indexDifference
Housing121118 ✓-3%
Groceries8987 ✓-2%
Transportation9088 ✓-2%
Healthcare9088 ✓-2%
Utilities9189 ✓-2%

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

Salary equivalency: Fort Worth → Houston

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

Salary in Fort WorthEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$59,000$-1,000
$80,000$78,000$-2,000
$100,000$98,000$-2,000
$130,000$127,000$-3,000
$150,000$147,000$-3,000
$200,000$196,000$-4,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Fort Worth, TX and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 93 for Fort Worth — a difference of approximately 2%.

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 $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,280/month in Fort Worth versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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