| Index | Fort Worth | Texas | National |
| Cost of living | 103 | 94 | 100 |
| Groceries | 103 | 98 | 100 |
| Health care | 102 | 98 | 100 |
| Housing | 106 | 83 | 100 |
| Transportation | 98 | 98 | 100 |
| Utilities | 108 | 103 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 98 | 100 |
| Household Items | 101 | 98 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 99 | 98 | 100 |

The cost of living in Fort Worth affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Fort Worth is 103, which is 3% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
In Fort Worth, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Fort Worth will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
The most insightful perspective on a city comes from its residents. We recently surveyed 21 locals to gauge their perception of the cost of living in Fort Worth. The feedback revealed that 48% of respondents found the cost of living to be reasonable, with prices on the decline, while 52% regarded it as notably expensive with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Fort Worth is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Fort Worth, for example, the median home price is 2.8% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 15% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Fort Worth boasting a median household income of $96,744, which is 18.9% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Fort Worth, the groceries index registers 2.9% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In Fort Worth, the transportation index is 1.6% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Cities that enforce higher taxes, covering both sales taxes and income taxes, can be a factor contributing to a higher cost of living. Paying more in taxes for everyday essentials like clothing and food inevitably leads to higher expenses. A higher income tax rate can further contribute to an overall elevated cost of living. In Fort Worth, the baseline sales tax rate begins at 6.25%, and income tax rates start at 0%.
The Fort Worth cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $127,214 | $10,601 | $2,968 | $3,817 |
| Renters | $66,998 | $5,583 | $1,563 | $2,010 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Texas | 0% | 0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Lakeside town (San Patricio County), TX | 316 | 85 | 15.0% |
| Pelican Bay, TX | 1,657 | 88 | 12.1% |
| Sansom Park, TX | 5,730 | 91 | 9.4% |
| Everman, TX | 6,422 | 90 | 9.9% |
| Forest Hill, TX | 13,444 | 95 | 5.2% |
| Fort Worth, TX | 926,371 | 103 | 2.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Jacksonville, FL | 934,752 | 108 | 8.0% |
| Columbus, OH | 914,920 | 97 | 3.5% |
| Charlotte, NC | 903,228 | 110 | 10.2% |
| Indianapolis, IN | 899,521 | 93 | 6.6% |
| San Francisco, CA | 898,133 | 245 | 145.5% |
| Fort Worth, TX | 926,371 | 103 | 2.9% |