Cost of Living: Fort Worth, TX vs Washington, DC (2026)

Fort Worth

Texas
97
VS

Washington

District of Columbia
171

Fort Worth is 43% cheaper than Washington.

$1,412/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$1,900/mo ↑ 35%
$76,602/yr ↓ 28%
Median Income
$106,287/yr ↑ 39%
$277,300 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$724,600 ↑ 161%
$1,489/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$2,103/mo ↑ 41%
941,311
Population
672,079

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.56%

Affordability

22.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Fort Worth, TX and Washington, DC, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 171 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $488/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $5,856/year.

Median household income is $29,685/year higher in Washington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Fort Worth is $277,300 compared to $724,600 in Washington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Fort Worth residents a significant tax advantage over District of Columbia's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fort Worth vs Washington — common questions

Is Fort Worth or Washington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 171 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Fort Worth and Washington?
Median rent in Fort Worth is $1,412/month and in Washington it's $1,900/month — a difference of $488/month.
Which city has higher income, Fort Worth or Washington?
Median household income is $76,602 in Fort Worth and $106,287 in Washington. Median household income is $29,685/year higher in Washington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and District of Columbia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. District of Columbia has 10.75% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.56% property tax.
Should I move to Fort Worth or Washington?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,412/mo, while Washington has a cost index of 171 with rent of $1,900/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Fort Worth details → View Washington details →

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