Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
17% cheaper
Fort Worth is 17% more affordable than Ann Arbor. A $75,000 salary in Ann Arbor is equivalent to $62,500 in Fort Worth.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Michigan salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Ann Arbor has a housing index of 135 while Fort Worth sits at 87 (national average = 100). The median home in Ann Arbor costs $400,000 compared to $270,000 in Fort Worth, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Ann Arbor versus $1,400 in Fort Worth.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Ann Arbor scores 101 while Fort Worth scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Ann Arbor (101) are higher than Fort Worth (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Ann Arbor is $65,024 compared to $62,187 in Fort Worth. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Fort Worth.
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