Fort Worth, TX Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth has a cost of living index of 97, about 3% below the national average, making it one of the more affordable major metros in the country. The housing index is 102, essentially at the national baseline. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,100 to $1,400 per month, and median home prices in Fort Worth proper sit near $290,000. The median household income is approximately $65,000, which translates to reasonable housing-to-income ratios compared to most large cities.

A $100,000 salary in Fort Worth is worth slightly more than it would be at the national average. The city provides a modest financial advantage simply by running below-average costs. For workers who have been priced out of Austin or the Dallas core, Fort Worth offers comparable job access through the Dallas-Fort Worth metro while maintaining lower housing costs.

Texas has no state income tax, which benefits Fort Worth residents the same as other Texas cities. The effective property tax rate in Tarrant County typically runs around 1.8 to 2.2% of appraised value, which adds a real cost to homeownership. On a $300,000 home, property taxes can run $5,400 to $6,600 per year. Buyers should calculate total monthly housing cost including property tax and insurance rather than mortgage payment alone.

Fort Worth is often described as the western edge of the DFW metroplex, and the commute to Dallas employment centers is a real consideration. Driving from western Fort Worth to central Dallas can take 45 to 60 minutes in typical traffic. Trinity Metro operates local bus service, and TEXRail provides commuter rail to DFW Airport and some points east, but the region remains primarily car-dependent. Vehicle expenses are an unavoidable part of the monthly budget for nearly all Fort Worth residents.