City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Lincoln

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

Texas
95
Below Average
$270,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$62,187
Median Income

Lincoln

Nebraska
93
Below Average
$264,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$71,900
Median Income

The Verdict

2.2%

The cost gap between these cities is 2.2%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $73,421 in Lincoln.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
87
Fort Worth
77
Lincoln
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
98
Lincoln
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
93
Lincoln
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
97
Lincoln
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
102
Lincoln

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $73,421 in Lincoln.

Conversely, $75,000 in Lincoln equals $76,613 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Lincoln

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Lincoln's 77, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $264,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,075/mo in Lincoln, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 98 in Lincoln. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $466/month in Lincoln. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Fort Worth and 93 in Lincoln. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $372 in Lincoln. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth and 102 in Lincoln. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,187 in Fort Worth and $71,900 in Lincoln. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $77,312 respectively. Lincoln residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,678/month in Lincoln. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lincoln is 2.2% more affordable overall with an index of 93 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,421 in Lincoln, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Lincoln's is 77 with median homes at $264,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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