Is Houston, TX cheaper than Fort Worth, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Houston, TX is 4.5% cheaper than Fort Worth, TX. This translates to saving $334 per month.

What salary do I need in Houston, TX to live like I do in Fort Worth, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Fort Worth, TX, you'd need approximately $145,990.099 in Houston, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fort Worth, TX and Houston, TX?

Housing in Houston, TX is 8.4% cheaper than in Fort Worth, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,500/month in Houston, TX compared to $1,620/month in Fort Worth, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fort Worth, TX to Houston, TX?

Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Houston, TX could save you approximately $334 per month, or $4010 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fort Worth, TX vs Houston, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Fort Worth, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $334/month moving to Houston, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.0K in Houston, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area

Overall Cost

↓ 4.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$334

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.0K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Fort Worth, TX

Population:919K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$263K

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:

(4% below avg)

Median Home:$245K

Fort Worth, TX

The Lone Star State

919K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 919K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Fort Worth, TX vs Houston, TX

Category	Fort Worth, TX	Houston, TX	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,391/mo	$2,191/mo	↓ $200less	8.4%
Transportation	$1,298/mo	$1,449/mo	↑ $152more	11.7%
Healthcare	$632/mo	$562/mo	↓ $70.01less	11.1%
Groceries	$979/mo	$911/mo	↓ $67.95less	6.9%
All Utilities	$563/mo	$552/mo	↓ $10.38less	1.8%
Other	$1,774/mo	$1,768/mo	↓ $6.70less	0.4%

Housing

↓ 8.4%

Fort Worth, TX

$2,391

Houston, TX

$2,191

Difference

$200

less

Transportation

↑ 11.7%

Fort Worth, TX

$1,298

Houston, TX

$1,449

Difference

$152

Healthcare

↓ 11.1%

Fort Worth, TX

$632

Houston, TX

$562

Difference

$70.01

less

Groceries

↓ 6.9%

Fort Worth, TX

$979

Houston, TX

$911

Difference

$67.95

less

All Utilities

↓ 1.8%

Fort Worth, TX

$563

Houston, TX

$552

Difference

$10.38

less

Other

↓ 0.4%

Fort Worth, TX

$1,774

Houston, TX

$1,768

Difference

$6.70

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,340

To$1,220

↓ $120

1 Bed

From$1,390

To$1,260

↓ $130

2 Bed

From$1,620

To$1,500

↓ $120

3 Bed

From$2,140

To$2,020

↓ $120

Fort Worth, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,170–$2,210/mo

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,637

Monthly in Fort Worth, TX

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$204

Difference

Home Values

Fort Worth

Houston

$263K

Median Value

$245K

↓ -3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -3.1%

↑ +27.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +23.4%

$161K - $673K

Price Range

$138K - $1.64M

Homes in Houston are 7% less expensive than Fort Worth

Calculate payment - Fort Worth Calculate payment - Houston

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Fort Worth, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Houston, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Fort Worth, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.