Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Fort Worth and Houston have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
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. Fort Worth has a housing index of 87 while Houston sits at 89 (national average = 100). The median home in Fort Worth costs $270,000 compared to $250,000 in Houston, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Fort Worth versus $1,400 in Houston.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Fort Worth scores 96 while Houston scores 94.
Healthcare costs in Fort Worth (100) are higher than Houston (96). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Fort Worth is $62,187 compared to $52,338 in Houston. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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