Moving from Raleigh to Fort Worth (2026)

Fort Worth has a COL index of 91 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). You'd pay about 10% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$581/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
101 โ†’ 91
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,700 โ†’ $1,400
per month
State tax
4.5% โ†’ None
income tax
COL difference
101 โ†’ 91
10% cheaper

Salary needed in Fort Worth to match your Raleigh lifestyle

Based on the 10% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in RaleighEquivalent in Fort Worth
$40K$36,040
$50K$45,050
$60K$54,059
$75K$67,574
$80K$72,079
$100K$90,099
$120K$108,119
$150K$135,149

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$282/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Raleigh vs Fort Worth

ExpenseRaleighFort Worth
Monthly take-home$4,459$4,741
1BR rent$1,700$1,400
Groceries$365$365
Transport$70$50
Utilities$150$180
Internet$60$68
Left after essentials$2,114$2,678

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $282 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$344,032

over 30 years compared to staying in Raleigh โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$282/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is Fort Worth cheaper than Raleigh?

Yes. Fort Worth has a cost of living index of 91 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). That's about 10% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Raleigh to Fort Worth?

On a $75K salary, moving from Raleigh to Fort Worth saves roughly $581/month on core expenses. That's ~$6,972/year.

What salary do I need in Fort Worth to match my Raleigh lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Raleigh, you'd need roughly $67,574/year in Fort Worth. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only