Let’s talk about the cost of living in Fort Worth. The median household income in Tarrant County is $80,043 according to the US Census Bureau. State-wise, Texas is No. 23 in the country for median income at ~$42,329 per household. Nice — we make a little more than the state average.

But just how expensive is it to live in Austin (Hey ATXtoday)? Is it cheaper elsewhere? Let’s crunch the numbers.

Fort Worth's cost vs. Austin's cost

At a glance, you can get a good sense of Fort Worth's cost by comparing it to our neighbors. We took a look at the cost of living in Fort Worth compared to Austin. Here’s what we found:

The cost of living is 29.1% higher in the state capital.
To maintain our standard of living, we would need to bring in $64,571 to our Austin household.
The average cost of housing in Austin is a staggering 88% higher than Fort Worth.

How much is rent?

Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $50,000 annually — according to experts — you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your monthly gross income on rent and utilities. Don’t worry, we did the math for you — your max monthly budget would be $1,250. The average monthly rent for an apartment in FTW is $1,451 — putting you over budget and over the national average.

Meanwhile, if you’re wondering how much you can currently afford to spend on buying a home in Fort Worth, try using SmartAsset’s cost calculator. Factors like your marital status, annual pre-tax income, down payment, and monthly debt will help determine that figure. According to RocketHomes, the median home cost in Cowtown is $331,999.

Compare that to the average US home value at $369,147, up 1.5% over the past year.

How much do groceries cost?

Your grocery bill will vary based on your family size and dietary needs, but we can give you a sense of what you’ll be spending in the checkout line using the crowd-sourcing site Numbeo. On average, a dozen eggs will cost you about $3.44 in Fort Worth, and a gallon of milk averages at $3.36.

How much does it cost to eat out in Fort Worth? Well, if we’re talking about a Quarter Pounder with Cheese from McDonald’s, it costs $4.76 according to NerdWallet. Compare that to the national average of $5.39 in 2024.

How much does healthcare cost?

According to Bankrate, the average doctor’s visit will run you $139.03 in Fort Worth. Don’t forget the dentist — those visits average at $133.75. Also note that the cost of Ibuprofen here averages at $11.02.

In Fort Worth, there is a substantial healthcare system (think: Texas Health and Baylor White & Scott All Saints), but according to the US Census Bureau, 15.7% of Tarrant County's population doesn't have healthcare coverage. Health insurance costs vary based on factors like age and plan, but it tends to cost between $400 and $600 per month for an individual plan.

How much do transportation and gas cost?

Most folks in Fort Worth get around by car, and drivers will likely pay ~$2.95 per gallon of gas. If you’re taking the bus, you’ll be riding Trinity Metro. Plan to pay $2 per ride, $4 for an all-day pass, or $18 for a week-long pass.

It’s worth noting that our walk score is 35, in case that’s how you prefer to get around. Might we recommend a stroll on the Trinity River Trail?

How much does daycare cost?

If you have a family, you need to know how much childcare costs in Fort Worth. Full-day private preschool averages at ~$1,800 per month, but according to Care.com, the average weekly rate for in-home child care is cheaper: $732 for a 40-hour week

A local perspective on the cost of living in Fort Worth

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