City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Montgomery

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

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

Montgomery

Alabama
79
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$56,800
Median Income

The Verdict

20.3%

Montgomery is 20.3% less expensive than Fort Worth overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Worth would need approximately $62,368 in Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
49
Montgomery
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
99
Montgomery
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
115
Montgomery
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
92
Montgomery
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
78
Montgomery

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $62,368 in Montgomery.

Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $90,190 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Montgomery

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $162,000. The $108,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,020 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $400.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $470/month in Montgomery. 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 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $460 in Montgomery. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-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 $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery 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 $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Montgomery is 20.3% more affordable overall with an index of 79 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,368 in Montgomery, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Montgomery's is 49 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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