Skyline of Fort Worth
Cost of Living: 98.5 935,508

Fort Worth, TX, US

Where the West begins — cowboy culture meets modern city with no state income tax.

Updated September 12, 2026

Overview

Fort Worth is a city in TX with a population of 935,508. Where the West begins — cowboy culture meets modern city with no state income tax. Housing costs are close to the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. The population skews young, with a median age of 33.4.

Last updated: September 12, 2026

Cost of Living 98.5

Below Average vs US Avg (100)

Housing Index 95.2

Affordable

Median Income $62,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.6%

Job market health

Fort Worth vs US Average

Cost of Living
Fort Worth: 98.5
US Avg: 100
Housing Index
Fort Worth: 95.2
US Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 8.2%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: $62,000
  • Unemployment: 3.6%
  • Population: 935,508

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 232/year
  • Summer High: 96°F
  • Winter Low: 35°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Housing

  • Median Home: $310,000
  • 1BR Rent: $1400/mo

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Cost of Living

Fort Worth's cost of living index is 98.5 (US average = 100).

CategoryFort WorthNational AverageDifference
Overall98.5100-1.5%
Housing95.2100-4.8%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price$310,000
Median Rent (1BR)$1400/mo
Median Rent (2BR)$1,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft$206

Data source: Zillow Research, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Fort Worth:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity$130Based on ~900 kWh/month typical US household usage
Heating & Cooling$52Estimated based on local climate. Gas or electric
Cooling (AC)$26Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water$75Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)$55Broadband average
Garbage / Trash$30Private service
Total Utilities$368Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Fort Worth scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 98.5
Rent
— $1400
Sunny Days
— 232
Tax
— None
Unemployment
— 3.6%
Climate
— 96°F / 35°F
Safety
— 7.4 homicides/100k
Population
— 935,508
Internet Speed
— 200 Mbps

Climate

Fort Worth has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January55°F35°F2.5"
April81°F50°F2.8"
July96°F71°F1.5"
October76°F53°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Fort Worth faces the following natural hazards:

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfire seasons.

Hurricane High Risk

Gulf Coast frequently affected by hurricanes.

Tornado High Risk

Tornado Alley with frequent tornadoes.

Flood High Risk

Coastal flooding and flash floods.

Drought High Risk

Frequent drought conditions.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in western regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 8.25%
  • Property Tax: ~1.93% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.6%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Fort Worth per 100,000 residents:

458.4
Violent Crime
2,699.8
Property Crime
7.4
Homicide

Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting

Schools & Education

46/100
School Quality Score
Better than 33% of US cities
?
251
Total Schools
10.4:1
Student:Teacher
94.7%
Free/Reduced Lunch

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Fort Worth is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Asian
5.2%
Black or African American
19.2%
Hispanic or Latino
34.6%
Native American
0.2%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.1%
Other
0.5%
Two or more races
3.0%
White
37.3%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.7%
High school graduate
24.7%
Less than high school
15.7%
Some college
27.9%

Religion

Buddhist
1.0%
Christian
76.0%
Hindu
1.0%
Jewish
1.0%
Muslim
1.0%
Other
1.0%
Unaffiliated
19.0%

Data source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) (2023)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Fort Worth, TX, US?

The cost of living index in Fort Worth is 98.5, which is Lower the US national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Fort Worth?

The median home price in Fort Worth is $310,000. The housing index is 95.2.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Fort Worth is approximately $1400/mo.

Does Fort Worth, TX have income tax?

Fort Worth is in TX, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Fort Worth?

Fort Worth enjoys approximately 232 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 96°F, while winter lows can drop to around 35°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.