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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

San Francisco

California
267

Fort Worth is 170% cheaper than San Francisco.

$1,412/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$2,419/mo ↑ 71%
$76,602/yr ↓ 46%
Median Income
$141,446/yr ↑ 85%
$277,300 ↓ 80%
Home Value
$1,380,500 ↑ 398%
$1,489/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$2,620/mo ↑ 76%
941,311
Population
836,321

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and San Francisco, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 267 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,007/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $12,084/year.

Median household income is $64,844/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $1,380,500 in San Francisco.

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 San Francisco — common questions

Is Fort Worth or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and San Francisco?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in San Francisco it's $2,419/month — a difference of $1,007/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or San Francisco?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $141,446 in San Francisco. Median household income is $64,844/year higher in San Francisco.
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 San Francisco?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with rent of $2,419/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View San Francisco details →