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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
In plain English: these cities are a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Fort Worth leads at an index of 91 with rent at just $1,554/month — 18% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data upd…
In plain English: these cities are a genuine bargain: 2 of the 2 cities in this ranking come in below the national cost-of-living average. Fort Worth leads at an index of 91 with rent at just $1,554/month — 18% less than the $1,895 national median. Here are the numbers, sourced from federal data updated in 2026 (that's pre-tax, of course).
No sugarcoating: Fort Worth earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 91 cost index sits 20 points below the national baseline, and the $76,602 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $295,822 — $171,548 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 91, while Healthcare trails at 98 (a figure that keeps climbing, by the way).
The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Fort Worth (index 91, rent $1,554); Albuquerque (index 85, rent $1,457). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
It's a strong position — but not without footnotes. And depending on your situation, nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 111, rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking significantly outperform those benchmarks. For anyone running the numbers, this is where it clicks.
Bottom line: Fort Worth, TX leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. That's about what we'd expect given the state context. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers. Not flashy. Just effective.
#1 Ranked: Fort Worth, TX — cost index 91, rent $1,554/mo, income $76,602
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort WorthTX | 91 | $1,554 | Details |
| 2 | AlbuquerqueNM | 85 | $1,457 | Details |
978,468 residents · Texas
Real talk: Dive into Fort Worth's numbers: cost index 91 (20 points below national average), rent $1,554/month, income $76,602, and a home price of $295,822. The city's cost profile isn't flat — Housing is the cheapest category at 91, while Healthcare runs 98. As a major city with 978,468 residents, amenities and job markets are robust.
560,274 residents · New Mexico
In plain English: the #2 spot goes to Albuquerque, and the breakdown explains why. Renters here pay $1,457/month — saving renters $5,256 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Housing is the standout at index 85, making it one of the cheapest in the country for that category. The weak spot? Healthcare at 97. A 27% rent-to-income ratio keeps most households inside the safe zone (and that gap widens if you factor in state taxes).
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
Fort Worth (ranked #1) has a cost index of 91 and rent of $1,554/mo, while Albuquerque (ranked #2) has a cost index of 85 and rent of $1,457/mo — a 6-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Worth is $1,554/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $341 below the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in Fort Worth is $295,822, which is 3.9× the local median income. It's on the edge of affordability for median-income households. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.