Is Fort Worth expensive to live in?

Fort Worth is considered affordable, with a cost index of 98 compared to the US average of 100. Living here costs about 2% less than the national average. The median monthly rent is $1,554, and the median household income is $76,602.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Fort Worth?

Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you need at least $62,160/year to afford median rent in Fort Worth. The median household income is $76,602, giving a rent-to-income ratio of 24%. Financial experts recommend keeping rent below 30% of gross income.

What is the average rent in Fort Worth?

The median rent in Fort Worth is $1,554 per month. Housing costs score 96 against the national average of 100, meaning housing is 4% cheaper than the US average.

How does Fort Worth compare to the national average cost of living?

Fort Worth's overall cost index is 98 vs the national average of 100. Breaking it down: housing (96), food & groceries (96), transportation (94), utilities (90), and healthcare (101). Fort Worth is below average in most categories, making it a strong value destination.

Is Fort Worth, Texas a good place to live?

Fort Worth has a population of 978,468 and a median household income of $76,602. With a cost index of 98, it offers strong affordability relative to the national average. The rent-to-income ratio is 24%, which is within healthy financial guidelines.

What are the cheapest cities near Fort Worth?

To find the most affordable cities near Fort Worth in Texas, use the Livably city comparison tool or browse the Texas state page. You can compare rent, cost index, income, and affordability side by side across all tracked cities.

Home/Texas/Fort Worth

Texas

Fort Worth

Monthly city intelligence across housing costs, tax load, and affordability signals to help you plan your next move with clearer numbers.

Compare city

Cost index: 98

Median rent: $1,554

Median income: $76,602

Cost Index

0/ 100 avg

Population

Median Income

Median Rent

$0/mo

12mo Trend

About Fort Worth

Living in Fort Worth, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas is a mid-size city with a population of approximately 978,468. The overall cost of living index sits at 98, which is near the national average of 100. This means everyday expenses — housing, groceries, transportation, and healthcare — are roughly 2% less expensive compared to the typical U.S. city.

Housing is the largest cost driver in Fort Worth. Median rent is $1,554 per month, while the median home price is $295,822. At a median household income of $76,602, rent consumes roughly 24% of gross income, which remains manageable relative to local incomes. The housing sub-index of 96 sits close to the national norm.

Beyond housing, healthcare is the most elevated non-shelter expense in Fort Worth with a sub-index of 101, while utilities is comparatively more affordable at 90. State-level taxes also shape the true cost of living: Texas applies a 0.00% income tax rate, and property tax averages 1.60% of assessed home value. The combined sales tax rate is 8.19%. Local income tax may apply in some municipalities.

Over the past twelve months, the cost of living in Fort Worth has remained relatively stable. Among the 40 tracked cities in Texas, Fort Worth ranks #17 from most to least affordable. Whether you're evaluating a job offer, planning a relocation, or comparing salary purchasing power, these numbers give a grounded, data-backed view of what life in Fort Worth actually costs.

City Intelligence Overview