Cost of Living: Fort Worth vs Houston (2026)

Fort Worth vs Houston cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Houston is about 4% less expensive than Fort Worth overall — $100,000 in Fort Worth is worth about $95,673 in Houston.

Houston is about 4% less expensive than Fort Worth overall — $100,000 in Fort Worth is worth about $95,673 in Houston.

Fort Worth vs Houston: the numbers

MetricFort WorthHoustonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10399-4%
Median rent$1,412$1,313-7%
Median home value$277,300$253,400-9%
Median household income$76,602$62,894-18%

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 Fort Worth has the same buying power as about $95,673 in Houston. Going the other way, $100,000 in Houston is like $104,523 in Fort Worth.

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

Compare any salary: Fort Worth vs Houston

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 103 vs 99 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Houston.

About $95,673 — that's what you'd need in Houston to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Fort Worth.