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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Fort Worth at index 98, where median rent of $1,554/month saves renters $4,092/year versus the national median.
Dollar for dollar, these cities represent some of the best deals in America. 2 out of 2 cities undercut the national cost index of 112. Leading the pack: Fort Worth at index 98, where median rent of $1,554/month saves renters $4,092/year versus the national median.
Why Fort Worth ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. At 98 on the cost index, residents save roughly 14% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,554/month while the median household pulls in $76,602/year. The Utilities category is particularly strong at 90, though Healthcare (101) lags behind. Home prices average $295,822 — $171,548 below the national median.
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. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers.
#1 Ranked: Fort Worth, TX — cost index 98, rent $1,554/mo, income $76,602
2 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 112
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort WorthTX | 98 | $1,554 | Details |
| 2 | KansasMO | 94 | $1,418 | Details |
978,468 residents · Texas
The numbers for Fort Worth are straightforward: 98 on the cost index, $1,554/month rent, $76,602 income. It lines up with what you'd expect. Not the most exciting entry in the list, but solid. It lines up with what you'd expect.
510,704 residents · Missouri
Kansas is one of the cheaper options here. Rent is $1,418/month, which is lower than most cities in this ranking. The cost index is 94. Income sits at $67,449. It's fine. Not great, not bad.
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 98 and rent of $1,554/mo, while Kansas (ranked #2) has a cost index of 94 and rent of $1,418/mo — a 4-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.