Median rent is 6% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,509/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Fort Worth ($79,507 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 102.5 — about 10% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 102.5 in Fort Worth (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Fresno, CA
How much would you need to earn in Fresno, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$67,217
You could earn $7,783 less (10% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Fort Worth
Texas
Fresno
California
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Fresno at $1,421/mo compared to $1,509/mo in Fort Worth (6% gap). Median home values are within 19% of each other: $303,000 in Fort Worth and $374,800 in Fresno.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Fort Worth
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Fresno (avg AQI 53.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Fresno if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 102.5).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,507/yr).
Is Fort Worth cheaper than Fresno?
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Fresno.
How much is rent in Fort Worth vs Fresno?
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Worth or Fresno?
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $70,991 in Fresno, CA. 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 — Fort Worth or Fresno?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Fresno to match my Fort Worth income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $89,622 in Fresno, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
