City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Roanoke

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

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

Roanoke

Virginia
81
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$1,075/mo
Median Rent
$52,700
Median Income

The Verdict

17.3%

Living in Roanoke costs 17.3% less than Fort Worth. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth, you would need $63,947 in Roanoke.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
57
Roanoke
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
97
Roanoke
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
116
Roanoke
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
98
Roanoke
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
91
Roanoke

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $63,947 in Roanoke.

Conversely, $75,000 in Roanoke equals $87,963 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Roanoke

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Roanoke's 57, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $225,000. The $45,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,928 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 Roanoke, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 97 in Roanoke. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $461/month in Roanoke. 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 116 in Roanoke. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $464 in Roanoke. 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 91 in Roanoke. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $52,700 in Roanoke. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $65,062 respectively. Fort Worth residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,230/month in Roanoke. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Roanoke, median rent of $1,075/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roanoke is 17.3% more affordable overall with an index of 81 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,947 in Roanoke, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Roanoke's is 57 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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