Cost of Living in Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth is about 14% more expensive than the national average.
What Things Cost
Compared to the US average (100)
Census ACS 2024
Census ACS 2024
BEA RPP 2023
BEA RPP 2023
Fort Worth at a Glance
No state income tax. That saves a typical household thousands per year compared to states like California (13.3%) or New York (10.9%).
Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.
Fort Worth is Dallas's western neighbor and increasingly its own city with its own identity. Where Dallas is corporate and polished, Fort Worth is Western heritage and cultural depth. The Stockyards, the Cultural District (Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum, Amon Carter Museum), and a growing food scene give Fort Worth a character that Dallas does not replicate. The cost of living is about 4% below the national average, slightly cheaper than Dallas. No state income tax applies.
How People Get Around
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Who Lives Here
Source: Census ACS 2024.
Why People Move to Fort Worth
The Cultural District is genuinely world-class: the Kimbell (designed by Louis Kahn) houses a collection that rivals any in the country. The Stockyards are tourist-friendly but also authentic, with a twice-daily cattle drive down Exchange Avenue. The food scene has grown beyond BBQ (though the BBQ is excellent) into a diverse restaurant landscape. For families, Fort Worth ISD and surrounding districts offer good schools at affordable prices.
Neighborhoods
The Cultural District (Museum District) is residential and walkable. Fairmount and Ryan Place are charming, historic South Side neighborhoods. Near Southside has been revitalized with restaurants and bars. The Stockyards area has tourist appeal. Keller, Southlake, and Colleyville to the northeast are affluent suburbs. For affordable options, the east side and Crowley offer lower prices.
Things to Consider
Texas property taxes averaging 1.75% create significant homeownership costs. Fort Worth is car-dependent and sprawling. The Stockyards area, while charming, is touristy. Summer heat exceeds 100°F regularly. The job market is slightly smaller than Dallas proper, though the DFW metro functions as one economy. The western suburbs are growing rapidly, straining infrastructure.
Compare Fort Worth To...
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Worth
Slightly. Fort Worth's median home price of about $330,500 is roughly $30,000 less than Dallas. The cost of living is about 4% below the national average versus Dallas at about 2.5% above. Both share the no-income-tax advantage and similar property tax rates. For a family buying their first home, the difference is meaningful.
Fort Worth's Cultural District is a cluster of world-class museums within walking distance: the Kimbell Art Museum (one of the best small art museums in the world), the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and the National Cowgirl Museum. The Botanic Garden is also nearby. It is genuinely world-class and often overlooked by people who only know the Stockyards.
Yes. The combination of no income tax, affordable housing, good school districts, family-oriented neighborhoods, and the Cultural District's educational resources makes Fort Worth one of the best family values in Texas. The Fort Worth Zoo is nationally ranked. The Trinity Trail system provides outdoor recreation. The pace is slightly slower and more family-oriented than Dallas.