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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Santa Maria

California
137

Fort Worth is 29% cheaper than Santa Maria.

$1,412/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,842/mo ↑ 30%
$76,602/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$84,617/yr ↑ 10%
$277,300 ↓ 42%
Home Value
$478,200 ↑ 72%
$1,489/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$1,789/mo ↑ 20%
941,311
Population
109,880

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Santa Maria, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 137 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $430/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $5,160/year.

Median household income is $8,015/year higher in Santa Maria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $478,200 in Santa Maria.

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 Maria — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Santa Maria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 137 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Santa Maria?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Santa Maria it's $1,842/month — a difference of $430/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Santa Maria?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $84,617 in Santa Maria. Median household income is $8,015/year higher in Santa Maria.
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 Maria?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Santa Maria has a cost index of 137 with rent of $1,842/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Santa Maria details →

More Comparisons

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