Median rent is 22% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Fort Worth is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 114.7 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Fort Worth, TX.
Cost of living verdict
Fort Worth is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Fort Worth vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$83,971
You'd need $8,971 more (12% higher).
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
Los Angeles
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Fort Worth — median rent of $1,509/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 22% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 67% more expensive.
Metric
Fort Worth
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,509/mo median).
Fort Worth is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Fort Worth.
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 22%.
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $81,939 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Worth, TX is equivalent to roughly $111,961 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
