Cost of Living: Chicago vs Fort Worth (2026)

Chicago vs Fort Worth cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Fort Worth is about 0% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $99,513 in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is about 0% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $99,513 in Fort Worth.

Chicago vs Fort Worth: the numbers

MetricChicagoFort WorthDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)104103-0%
Median rent$1,380$1,412+2%
Median home value$315,200$277,300-12%
Median household income$75,134$76,602+2%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Chicago has the same buying power as about $99,513 in Fort Worth. Going the other way, $100,000 in Fort Worth is like $100,490 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Fort Worth.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Fort Worth

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 103 — a 0% difference. Your money goes further in Fort Worth.

About $99,513 — that's what you'd need in Fort Worth to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.