Cost of Living: Fort Worth, TX vs Berkeley, CA (2026)

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Fort Worth is 61% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,412/mo ↓ 34%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 51%
$76,602/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 42%
$277,300 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 387%
$1,489/mo ↓ 36%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 57%
941,311
Population
120,223

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $715/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $8,580/year.

Median household income is $31,956/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Fort Worth residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Berkeley?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $715/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Berkeley?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $31,956/year higher in Berkeley.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Worth or Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Berkeley details →

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