Fort Worth wins overall by ~8% (COL index)
Cost of living: Fort Worth vs Dallas (2026)
A $61,000 salary in Fort Worth buys roughly what $66,363 does in Dallas (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$1,858/yr
Favoring Fort Worth for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $155/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~97 months and still keep ~$19/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Fort Worth Texas | Dallas Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $61K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100Better | $1,200 | Fort wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Fort |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,500 | Fort wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Fort |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850Better | $2,000 | Fort wins +$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Fort |
| Median home price | $310KBetter | $330K | Fort wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 95Better | Dallas wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Better | $13 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $52Better | $55 | Fort wins +$3/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $96 | Fort wins +$46/mo | $552/yr saves in Fort |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05Better | $3.05 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175Better | $180 | Fort wins +$5/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $180 | $175Better | Dallas wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $68 | $60Better | Dallas wins −$8/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $60K | Fort wins −$2K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Better | 0.0% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.3% | — | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38Better | $38 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00Better | $6.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 99 | Fort wins +8 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 46Wins | Dallas wins +18 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
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Fort Worth fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Fort Worth.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Worth cheaper than Dallas?
Yes. Fort Worth is 8% cheaper than Dallas based on overall cost of living indices (91 vs 99, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Fort Worth vs Dallas?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Worth is $1,400/month and in Dallas is $1,500/month. Fort Worth is cheaper by 7%.
How much do I need to earn in Dallas to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $81,593/year in Dallas to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Fort Worth or Dallas?
Dallas has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 0%. Dallas has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Fort Worth to Dallas?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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