Median rent is 1% lower in Dallas ($1,403/mo vs $1,412/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $277,300 versus $295,300. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($76,602 vs $67,760 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (103.4).
City A
Dallas, TX
City B
Fort Worth, TX
How much would you need to earn in Fort Worth, TX to maintain your standard of living from Dallas, TX?
Equivalent salary in Fort Worth, TX
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Dallas
Texas
Fort Worth
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,403/mo in Dallas and $1,412/mo in Fort Worth. Median home values are within 6% of each other: $295,300 in Dallas and $277,300 in Fort Worth.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Texas; Fort Worth has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Dallas
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Fort Worth
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Dallas (avg AQI 44.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($76,602/yr).
Is Dallas cheaper than Fort Worth?
Dallas is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 103.4 versus 103.4 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Dallas.
How much is rent in Dallas vs Fort Worth?
Median rent is $1,403/mo in Dallas, TX and $1,412/mo in Fort Worth, TX. Dallas, TX has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Dallas or Fort Worth?
Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas, TX and $76,602 in Fort Worth, TX. Fort Worth, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Dallas or Fort Worth?
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Fort Worth to match my Dallas income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Dallas, TX is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology