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

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Santa Rosa

California
172

Fort Worth is 44% cheaper than Santa Rosa.

$1,412/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,084/mo ↑ 48%
$76,602/yr ↓ 21%
Median Income
$97,410/yr ↑ 27%
$277,300 ↓ 60%
Home Value
$685,000 ↑ 147%
$1,489/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$2,130/mo ↑ 43%
941,311
Population
177,216

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 Santa Rosa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 172 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $672/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $8,064/year.

Median household income is $20,808/year higher in Santa Rosa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $685,000 in Santa Rosa.

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 Rosa — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Santa Rosa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 172 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Santa Rosa?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Santa Rosa it's $2,084/month — a difference of $672/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Santa Rosa?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $97,410 in Santa Rosa. Median household income is $20,808/year higher in Santa Rosa.
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 Rosa?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Santa Rosa has a cost index of 172 with rent of $2,084/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Santa Rosa details →

More Comparisons

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