San Jose vs Fort Worth: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of San Jose, CA and Fort Worth, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,001,176 | 924,663 |
| Median household income | $136,010 | $72,726 |
| Median home value | $1,149,600 | $250,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,526 | $1,313 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing San Jose, CA and Fort Worth, TX comes down to what you value most. Fort Worth has the lower median home value, and Fort Worth has the lower median rent.
San Jose has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in San Jose or Fort Worth?
- By median home value, Fort Worth is the cheaper of the two ($250,300 vs $1,149,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, San Jose or Fort Worth?
- Median household income is $136,010 in San Jose versus $72,726 in Fort Worth, per the US Census Bureau.