City Comparison

Fort Worth vs Sugar Land

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Fort Worth

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

Sugar Land

Texas
110
Above Average
$456,000
Median Home
$1,625/mo
Median Rent
$128,400
Median Income

The Verdict

13.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 13.6%, with Fort Worth being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to $86,842 in Sugar Land.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
87
Fort Worth
128
Sugar Land
Groceries
96
Fort Worth
99
Sugar Land
Utilities
99
Fort Worth
96
Sugar Land
Transportation
106
Fort Worth
101
Sugar Land
Healthcare
100
Fort Worth
96
Sugar Land

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $86,842 in Sugar Land.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sugar Land equals $64,773 in Fort Worth.

Living in Fort Worth vs Sugar Land

Housing Costs

Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is lower Sugar Land's 128, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $456,000. The $186,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,096 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,625/mo in Sugar Land, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 99 in Sugar Land. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth vs $470/month in Sugar Land. 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 96 in Sugar Land. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $384 in Sugar Land. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth and 96 in Sugar Land. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,187 in Fort Worth and $128,400 in Sugar Land. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 and $116,727 respectively. Sugar Land 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 $2,996/month in Sugar Land. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Sugar Land, median rent of $1,625/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is 13.6% more affordable overall with an index of 95 vs 110.
A $75,000 salary in Fort Worth has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $86,842 in Sugar Land, based on the cost of living difference.
Fort Worth's housing index is 87 with median homes at $270,000, while Sugar Land's is 128 with median homes at $456,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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