Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
8% cheaper
Fort Worth is 8% more affordable than Dallas. A $75,000 salary in Dallas is equivalent to $69,175 in Fort Worth.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · Texas salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Dallas has a housing index of 104 while Fort Worth sits at 87 (national average = 100). The median home in Dallas costs $310,000 compared to $270,000 in Fort Worth, a difference of $40,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Dallas versus $1,400 in Fort Worth.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Dallas scores 97 while Fort Worth scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Dallas (100) match Fort Worth (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Dallas is $54,747 compared to $62,187 in Fort Worth. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Fort Worth.
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