Question 1

Is Austin or Fort Worth cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

Austin, TX is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $775/month less than in Fort Worth, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,095/mo in Austin versus $1,723/mo in Fort Worth.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Austin vs Fort Worth?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $60,000/year before tax in Austin, TX and $75,500/year in Fort Worth, TX — a difference of about $15,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Austin or Fort Worth cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

Austin, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $8,996/month in Austin and $10,058/month in Fort Worth, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Austin or Fort Worth?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. Austin costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Austin75	Fort Worth75
Est. monthly cost (single)	$3,505	$4,280
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$8,996	$10,058
Salary for comfort	$60,000/yr	$75,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,095	$1,723
Median home value	$512,700	$277,300
Median household income	$91,461	$76,602
Unemployment	3.9%	4.8%
Housing score	58	66
Jobs score	76	47
Safety score	58	79
Climate score	92	94
Amenities score	64	77
Population	967.9K	941.3K
Summer high / winter low	96° / 42°	95° / 35°

Austin, TX vs Fort Worth, TX