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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Palmdale

California
130

Fort Worth is 25% cheaper than Palmdale.

$1,412/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,736/mo ↑ 23%
$76,602/yr ↓ 6%
Median Income
$81,151/yr ↑ 6%
$277,300 ↓ 36%
Home Value
$435,300 ↑ 57%
$1,489/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,831/mo ↑ 23%
941,311
Population
165,487

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
25.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Palmdale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 130 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $324/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $3,888/year.

Median household income is $4,549/year higher in Palmdale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $435,300 in Palmdale.

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 Palmdale — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Palmdale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 130 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Palmdale?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Palmdale it's $1,736/month — a difference of $324/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Palmdale?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $81,151 in Palmdale. Median household income is $4,549/year higher in Palmdale.
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 Palmdale?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Palmdale has a cost index of 130 with rent of $1,736/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Palmdale details →

More Comparisons

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