Austin vs Fort Worth: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Austin, TX and Fort Worth, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 958,202 | 924,663 |
| Median household income | $86,556 | $72,726 |
| Median home value | $461,500 | $250,300 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,549 | $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 Austin, TX 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.
Austin 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 Austin or Fort Worth?
- By median home value, Fort Worth is the cheaper of the two ($250,300 vs $461,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Austin or Fort Worth?
- Median household income is $86,556 in Austin versus $72,726 in Fort Worth, per the US Census Bureau.