City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

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

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

13.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.1%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $66,316 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
67
Springfield
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
94
Springfield
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
79
Springfield
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
90
Springfield
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $66,316 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $84,821 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is higher Springfield's 67, 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 $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $447/month in Springfield. 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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $316 in Springfield. 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 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 20 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 13.1% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,316 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Springfield's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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