Columbus vs Fort Worth: Cost of Living (2026)

A side-by-side comparison of Columbus, OH and Fort Worth, TX, using US Census Bureau data.

MetricColumbus, OHFort Worth, TX
Population902,449924,663
Median household income$62,994$72,726
Median home value$212,500$250,300
Median rent (/mo)$1,161$1,313

Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.

Comparing Columbus, OH and Fort Worth, TX comes down to what you value most. Columbus has the lower median home value, and Columbus has the lower median rent.

Fort Worth 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 Columbus or Fort Worth?
By median home value, Columbus is the cheaper of the two ($212,500 vs $250,300). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
Which has higher salaries, Columbus or Fort Worth?
Median household income is $62,994 in Columbus versus $72,726 in Fort Worth, per the US Census Bureau.

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