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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Fresno

California
101

Fort Worth is 4% cheaper than Fresno.

$1,412/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,324/mo ↓ 6%
$76,602/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$66,804/yr ↓ 13%
$277,300 ↓ 20%
Home Value
$348,500 ↑ 26%
$1,489/mo ↑ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,391/mo ↓ 7%
941,311
Population
543,615

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
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Fresno, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 101 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $88/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $1,056/year.

Median household income is $9,798/year higher in Fort Worth. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $348,500 in Fresno.

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 Fresno — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Fresno cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Fresno?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Fresno it's $1,324/month — a difference of $88/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Fresno?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $66,804 in Fresno. Median household income is $9,798/year higher in Fort Worth.
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 Fresno?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Fresno has a cost index of 101 with rent of $1,324/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Fresno details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Worth and Fresno

Fort Worth vs. Jacksonville Fort Worth vs. Columbus Fort Worth vs. Austin Fort Worth vs. Charlotte Fort Worth vs. San Jose Fort Worth vs. Indianapolis Fresno vs. Albuquerque Fresno vs. Tucson Fresno vs. Milwaukee Fresno vs. Sacramento Fresno vs. Baltimore Fresno vs. Kansas City