Is Fort Worth, TX cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Fort Worth, TX is 4.7% more expensive than Houston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $350 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $154,196.891 in Fort Worth, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Fort Worth, TX is 9.1% more expensive than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,620/month in Fort Worth, TX compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

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

Living in Fort Worth, TX costs approximately $350 more per month than Houston, TX, or $4197 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $350/month more in Fort Worth, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $154.2K in Fort Worth, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 4.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$350

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$4.2K

Per year

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

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$245K

Fort Worth, TX

Population:919K

Cost Index:

105

(5% above avg)

Median Home:$263K

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

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!

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Houston, TX vs Fort Worth, TX

Category	Houston, TX	Fort Worth, TX	Difference	Change
Housing	$2,191/mo	$2,391/mo	↑ $200more	9.1%
Transportation	$1,449/mo	$1,298/mo	↓ $152less	10.5%
Healthcare	$562/mo	$632/mo	↑ $70.01more	12.5%
Groceries	$911/mo	$979/mo	↑ $67.95more	7.5%
All Utilities	$552/mo	$563/mo	↑ $10.38more	1.9%
Other	$1,768/mo	$1,774/mo	↑ $6.70more	0.4%

Housing

↑ 9.1%

Houston, TX

$2,191

Fort Worth, TX

$2,391

Difference

$200

Transportation

↓ 10.5%

Houston, TX

$1,449

Fort Worth, TX

$1,298

Difference

$152

less

Healthcare

↑ 12.5%

Houston, TX

$562

Fort Worth, TX

$632

Difference

$70.01

Groceries

↑ 7.5%

Houston, TX

$911

Fort Worth, TX

$979

Difference

$67.95

All Utilities

↑ 1.9%

Houston, TX

$552

Fort Worth, TX

$563

Difference

$10.38

Other

↑ 0.4%

Houston, TX

$1,768

Fort Worth, TX

$1,774

Difference

$6.70

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$1,340

↑ $120

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$1,390

↑ $130

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$1,620

↑ $120

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$2,140

↑ $120

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/mo

Fort Worth, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,170–$2,210/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.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$7,637

Monthly in Fort Worth, TX

$204

Difference

Home Values

Houston

Fort Worth

$245K

Median Value

$263K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -3.7%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +27.5%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$161K - $673K

Homes in Fort Worth are 7% more expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston Calculate payment - Fort Worth

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

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

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

Additional Tax Information

Houston, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

Fort Worth, 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.