Cost of Living: Columbus vs Fort Worth (2026)

Columbus vs Fort Worth cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Fort Worth is about 8% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $107,983 in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is about 8% more expensive than Columbus overall — $100,000 in Columbus is worth about $107,983 in Fort Worth.

Columbus vs Fort Worth: the numbers

MetricColumbusFort WorthDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)95103+8%
Median rent$1,224$1,412+15%
Median home value$234,500$277,300+18%
Median household income$65,327$76,602+17%

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 Columbus has the same buying power as about $107,983 in Fort Worth. Going the other way, $100,000 in Fort Worth is like $92,607 in Columbus.

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

Compare any salary: Columbus vs Fort Worth

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 95 — a 8% difference. Your money goes further in Columbus.

About $107,983 — that's what you'd need in Fort Worth to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Columbus.