City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Racine

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

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

Racine

Wisconsin
88
Below Average
$126,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$57,700
Median Income

The Verdict

8.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 8.0%, with Racine being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $69,474 in Racine.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
66
Racine
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
97
Racine
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
94
Racine
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
90
Racine
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
111
Racine

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $69,474 in Racine.

Conversely, $75,000 in Racine equals $80,966 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Racine

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Racine's 66, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $126,000. The $144,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,360 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,025/mo in Racine, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 97 in Racine. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $461/month in Racine. 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 94 in Racine. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $376 in Racine. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth and 111 in Racine. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-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 $57,700 in Racine. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $65,568 respectively. Racine 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 $1,346/month in Racine. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Racine is 8.0% more affordable overall with an index of 88 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,474 in Racine, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Racine's is 66 with median homes at $126,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases