Los Angeles vs Fort Worth
Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth is 43% more affordable than Los Angeles. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

Fort Worth, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexFort Worth indexDifference
Housing215121 ✓-94%
Groceries15389 ✓-64%
Transportation15190 ✓-61%
Healthcare15790 ✓-67%
Utilities14591 ✓-54%

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

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Fort Worth

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

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in Fort WorthDifference
$60,000$30,000$-30,000
$80,000$40,000$-40,000
$100,000$50,000$-50,000
$130,000$64,000$-66,000
$150,000$74,000$-76,000
$200,000$99,000$-101,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Fort Worth, TX, Fort Worth comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 93 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 43%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Fort Worth workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over Los Angeles workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $315,000 in Fort Worth. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $1,280/month in Fort Worth.

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