Median rent is 7% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,620/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $408,000. Households earn more in Mesa ($82,752 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Fort Worth is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 104.7 — about 2% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Fort Worth is 2% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Fort Worth vs 104.7 in Mesa (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Mesa, AZ
How much would you need to earn in Mesa, AZ to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Mesa, AZ
$76,600
You'd need $1,600 more (2% 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
Mesa
Arizona
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 Fort Worth at $1,509/mo compared to $1,620/mo in Mesa (7% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Mesa: the median home is $408,000 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 26% more expensive.
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
Mesa
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Mesa (avg AQI 32.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Is Fort Worth cheaper than Mesa?
Fort Worth is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 104.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 2% lower in Fort Worth.
How much is rent in Fort Worth vs Mesa?
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,620/mo in Mesa, AZ. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Worth or Mesa?
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $82,752 in Mesa, AZ. Mesa, AZ 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 Mesa?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Mesa 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 $102,133 in Mesa, AZ (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
