Median rent is 21% lower in Fort Worth ($1,509/mo vs $1,914/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Worth, where the median home runs $303,000 versus $584,800. Households earn more in Riverside ($91,045 vs $79,507 a year). Taken together, Fort Worth is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 107.3 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Riverside, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Fort Worth is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Fort Worth vs 107.3 in Riverside (US national average = 100)
City A
Fort Worth, TX
City B
Riverside, CA
How much would you need to earn in Riverside, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Worth, TX?
Equivalent salary in Riverside, CA
$78,550
You'd need $3,550 more (5% 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
Riverside
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 $1,914/mo in Riverside, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Riverside: the median home is $584,800 versus $303,000 in Fort Worth — 48% more expensive.
Metric
Fort Worth
Riverside
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
Riverside
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Riverside (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for Fort Worth.
Pick Fort Worth if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 107.3).
Pick Riverside if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,045/yr).
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 107.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Fort Worth.
Median rent is $1,509/mo in Fort Worth, TX and $1,914/mo in Riverside, CA. Fort Worth, TX has the lower rent by about 21%.
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth, TX and $91,045 in Riverside, CA. Riverside, 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 $104,733 in Riverside, 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
