CostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Fort Worth, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
TX
Fort Worth
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent

Austin is moderately cheaper than Fort Worth — 5.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $84,100 in Fort Worth. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing2.1%
Austin
120.4
Fort Worth
117.9
🛒 Groceries+9.6%
Austin
93.8
Fort Worth
102.8
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Austin
101.1
Fort Worth
104.7
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Austin
91.4
Fort Worth
94.7
Utilities+10.6%
Austin
82
Fort Worth
90.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Austin to see what you'd need to earn in Fort Worth to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Fort Worth, TX
$84,100
$4,100 more needed in Fort Worth

Formula: salary × (103.1 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 1.0510. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6×

Fort Worth, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Austin has 2.1% lower housing costs compared to Fort Worth.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$98,500
Per Capita Income
$56,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Fort Worth, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
918,915
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Austin, TX
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Fort Worth, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.