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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Santa Ana

California
163

Fort Worth is 40% cheaper than Santa Ana.

$1,412/mo ↓ 29%
Median Rent
$1,975/mo ↑ 40%
$76,602/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$88,354/yr ↑ 15%
$277,300 ↓ 58%
Home Value
$657,800 ↑ 137%
$1,489/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,965/mo ↑ 32%
941,311
Population
311,639

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 Santa Ana, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 163 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $563/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $6,756/year.

Median household income is $11,752/year higher in Santa Ana. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $657,800 in Santa Ana.

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 Santa Ana — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Santa Ana cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 163 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Santa Ana?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Santa Ana it's $1,975/month — a difference of $563/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Santa Ana?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $88,354 in Santa Ana. Median household income is $11,752/year higher in Santa Ana.
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 Santa Ana?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Santa Ana has a cost index of 163 with rent of $1,975/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Santa Ana details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Fort Worth and Santa Ana

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