Quick answer
Fort Worth costs $405/month less overall ($1,800 vs $2,205/mo). Both cities have None state income tax, so the rent gap is the real difference.
City Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Fort Worth
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: October 21, 2026
Austin vs Fort Worth at a Glance
| Metric | Austin | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,650 | $1,620 ✓ |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $2,100 | $1,620 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $548K | $340K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 ✓ | $175 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $380 | $345 ✓ |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $2,205 | $1,800 ✓ |
| Walk Score | 41/100 ✓ | 34/100 |
| Transit Score | 34/100 ✓ | 25/100 |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | None |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Fort Worth's 1BR averages $1,280/month vs $1,650 in Austin — a $370/month difference, or $4,440/year. That's a meaningful gap worth factoring into your decision.
State tax: Both cities carry the same state income tax rate (None), so this isn't a differentiator.
Home buying: Median homes in Fort Worth are $340K vs $548K in Austin. At a 20% down payment, that's a $41,600 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Utilities are essentially equal between both cities at $175/month.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Austin, TX
Austin is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Fort Worth, TX
Car ownership is effectively mandatory in Fort Worth. Budget $400–600/month for a car if you don't own one.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Austin
300+ sunny days; summers run 100–110°F for 60+ days June–September; mild short winters; ERCOT grid has blackout history in extreme weather
Fort Worth
Hot summers (similar to Dallas, 100°F+), mild winters with occasional ice storms, severe thunderstorm and tornado season in spring
Job Market
Austin top industries
Fort Worth top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Austin if…
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a young professionals
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a musicians
- →You want zero state income tax
Move to Fort Worth if…
- →You're a aerospace / defense workers
- →You're a healthcare professionals
- →You're a remote workers
- →You're a Texas culture enthusiasts
- →You want zero state income tax
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Fort Worth cheaper to live in?
Fort Worth is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,800 in Fort Worth vs $2,205 in Austin — a $405/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Austin or Fort Worth?
Austin is more walkable with a Walk Score of 41/100 vs 34/100. Fort Worth is more car-dependent.
Austin vs Fort Worth: which has lower state income tax?
Both Austin and Fort Worth have the same state income tax rate (None).
Is Austin or Fort Worth better for buying a home?
Fort Worth has lower median home prices at $340K vs $548K in Austin — a $208,000 difference on the median home.