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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Irvine

California
256

Fort Worth is 62% cheaper than Irvine.

$1,412/mo ↓ 51%
Median Rent
$2,893/mo ↑ 105%
$76,602/yr ↓ 41%
Median Income
$129,647/yr ↑ 69%
$277,300 ↓ 75%
Home Value
$1,115,400 ↑ 302%
$1,489/mo ↓ 49%
Owner Costs
$2,904/mo ↑ 95%
941,311
Population
308,160

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
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Irvine, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 256 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,481/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $17,772/year.

Median household income is $53,045/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $1,115,400 in Irvine.

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 Irvine — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Irvine cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Irvine?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Irvine it's $2,893/month — a difference of $1,481/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Irvine?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $129,647 in Irvine. Median household income is $53,045/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Irvine has a cost index of 256 with rent of $2,893/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Irvine details →

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