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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.
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. And for the typical household, fort Worth (index 98, rent $1,554); Mesa (index 105, rent $1,554). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
The #1 spot goes to Fort Worth, and the breakdown explains why. And more often than not, renters here pay $1,554/month — saving renters $4,092 per year compared to the national average. Meanwhile, Utilities is the standout at index 90, keeping costs manageable. The weak spot? Healthcare at 101. At a 24% rent-to-income ratio, there's genuine breathing room in the average household budget.
Bottom line: Fort Worth, TX leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. And generally speaking, 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 | MesaAZ | 105 | $1,554 | Details |
978,468 residents · Texas
Fort Worth earns its position at #1 through a combination that's hard to replicate. And in practical terms, the 98 cost index sits 14 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, Utilities leads the way at 90, while Healthcare trails at 101. Not flashy. Just effective.
511,648 residents · Arizona
Why Mesa ranks #2: the numbers tell a clear story. At 105 on the cost index, residents save roughly 7% less than the typical American. Rent sits at $1,554/month — we had to double-check this one — while the median household pulls in $78,779/year. The Utilities category is particularly strong at 96, though Housing (112) lags behind. Home prices average $432,764 — $34,606 below the national median. An outlier in the best sense.
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 Mesa (ranked #2) has a cost index of 105 and rent of $1,554/mo — a 7-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.