Austin, TX vs. Fort Worth, TX: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Austin and Fort Worth, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 979,539 | 963,194 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $93,658 | $79,507 | -15.1% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,729 | $1,509 | -12.7% |
| Median home value | $555,300 | $303,000 | -45.4% |
Difference is Fort Worth, TX relative to Austin, TX.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Texas 97.1, Texas 97.1, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Austin, TX buys about as much as $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $69,160 | $60,360 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 22.2% | 22.8% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $341,658 | $290,036 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.