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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Riverside

California
144

Fort Worth is 33% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,412/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 28%
$76,602/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↑ 16%
$277,300 ↓ 49%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 95%
$1,489/mo ↓ 21%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 26%
941,311
Population
316,241

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $400/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $4,800/year.

Median household income is $11,973/year higher in Riverside. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

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 Riverside — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Riverside?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $400/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Riverside?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $11,973/year higher in Riverside.
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 Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Riverside details →

More Comparisons

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