Houston vs Fort Worth
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 2% less expensive than Fort Worth.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Houston, TX

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

Fort Worth, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexFort Worth indexDifference
Housing118 ✓121+3%
Groceries87 ✓89+2%
Transportation88 ✓90+2%
Healthcare88 ✓90+2%
Utilities89 ✓91+2%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Fort Worth

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in Fort WorthDifference
$60,000$61,000+$1,000
$80,000$82,000+$2,000
$100,000$102,000+$2,000
$130,000$133,000+$3,000
$150,000$153,000+$3,000
$200,000$204,000+$4,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Fort Worth, 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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $315,000 in Fort Worth. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,280/month in Fort Worth.

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