Cost of Living: Fort Worth vs San Jose (2026)

Fort Worth vs San Jose cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Jose is about 7% more expensive than Fort Worth overall — $100,000 in Fort Worth is worth about $107,113 in San Jose.

San Jose is about 7% more expensive than Fort Worth overall — $100,000 in Fort Worth is worth about $107,113 in San Jose.

Fort Worth vs San Jose: the numbers

MetricFort WorthSan JoseDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103110+7%
Median rent$1,412$2,617+85%
Median home value$277,300$1,187,800+328%
Median household income$76,602$141,565+85%

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 $107,113 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $93,359 in Fort Worth.

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

Compare any salary: Fort Worth vs San Jose

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 110 vs 103 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Fort Worth.

About $107,113 — that's what you'd need in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Fort Worth.