Fort Worth vs Kansas City — side-by-side
Cost of living: Fort Worth vs Kansas City (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Fort Worth buys roughly what $60,000 does in Kansas City (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$497/yr
Favoring Fort Worth for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $41/mo in Fort Worth, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
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 | Kansas City Missouri | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,100 | $950Wins | Kansas wins −$150/mo | $1,800/yr saves in Kansas |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,400 | $1,200Wins | Kansas wins −$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Kansas |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,850 | $1,600Wins | Kansas wins −$250/mo | $3,000/yr saves in Kansas |
| Median home price | $310K | $280KBetter | Kansas wins −$30K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96 | 95Better | Kansas wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13 | $12Better | Kansas wins −$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $52 | $50Better | Kansas wins −$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $70 | Fort wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Fort |
| Gas price/gal | $3.05 | $3.00Better | Kansas wins −$0.05 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175 | $145Wins | Kansas wins −$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Kansas |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $180 | $165Better | Kansas wins −$15/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $68 | $60Better | Kansas wins −$8/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62KBetter | $58K | Fort wins −$4K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 5.4% | Fort wins +5.4 pp | $3,240/yr saves in Fort |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Better | 8.6% | Fort wins +0.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00 | $14.00Better | Kansas wins −$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $38 | $35Better | Kansas wins −$3/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.00 | $5.00Wins | Kansas wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 91Better | 91 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 38Wins | Kansas wins +10 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,240/yr tax difference into cash back
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
Park ~$2,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Fort Worth vs Kansas City?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Fort Worth is $1,400/month and in Kansas City is $1,200/month. Fort Worth is more expensive by 17%.
How much do I need to earn in Kansas City to match a $75,000 salary in Fort Worth?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Kansas City 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 Kansas City?
Fort Worth has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 5.4%. Fort Worth 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 Kansas City?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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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Salary equivalent: Fort Worth ↔ Kansas City
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