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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Fort Worth

Texas
97

San Jose is 157% more expensive than Fort Worth.

$2,617/mo ↑ 85%
Median Rent
$1,412/mo ↓ 46%
$141,565/yr ↑ 85%
Median Income
$76,602/yr ↓ 46%
$1,187,800 ↑ 328%
Home Value
$277,300 ↓ 77%
$2,775/mo ↑ 86%
Owner Costs
$1,489/mo ↓ 46%
990,054
Population
941,311

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Fort Worth, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 97 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,205/month cheaper in Fort Worth, saving renters about $14,460/year.

Median household income is $64,963/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 compared to $277,300 in Fort Worth.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Fort Worth residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Jose vs Fort Worth — common questions

Is San Jose or Fort Worth cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fort Worth is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Fort Worth?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Fort Worth it's $1,412/month — a difference of $1,205/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Fort Worth?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $76,602 in Fort Worth. Median household income is $64,963/year higher in San Jose.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Jose or Fort Worth?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/mo, while Fort Worth has a cost index of 97 with rent of $1,412/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Jose details → View Fort Worth details →