City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Midland

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

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

Midland

Texas
92
Below Average
$269,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$89,600
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

Living in Midland costs 3.3% less than Fort Worth. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth, you would need $72,632 in Midland.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
84
Midland
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
96
Midland
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
99
Midland
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
91
Midland
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
110
Midland

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $72,632 in Midland.

Conversely, $75,000 in Midland equals $77,446 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Midland

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Midland's 84, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $269,000. The $1,000 difference in home prices means roughly $60 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,450/mo in Midland, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 96 in Midland. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $456/month in Midland. 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 99 in Midland. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $396 in Midland. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth and 110 in Midland. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,187 in Fort Worth and $89,600 in Midland. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $97,391 respectively. Midland 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 $2,091/month in Midland. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Midland is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 92 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,632 in Midland, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Midland's is 84 with median homes at $269,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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