Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
4% cheaper
Fort Worth is 4% more affordable than Mesa. A $75,000 salary in Mesa is equivalent to $71,970 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 · Arizona salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Fort Worth has a housing index of 87 while Mesa sits at 98 (national average = 100). The median home in Fort Worth costs $270,000 compared to $350,000 in Mesa, a difference of $80,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Fort Worth versus $1,350 in Mesa.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Fort Worth scores 96 while Mesa scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Fort Worth (100) are higher than Mesa (95). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Fort Worth is $62,187 compared to $60,234 in Mesa. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Fort Worth.
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