Quick answer
Fort Worth costs $80/month less overall ($1,800 vs $1,880/mo). Fort Worth also has lower state income tax (None vs 7.65%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth vs Madison
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Fort Worth vs Madison at a Glance
| Metric | Fort Worth | Madison |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,280 ✓ | $1,720 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,620 ✓ | $1,720 |
| Median Home Price | $340K ✓ | $370K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $345 ✓ | $355 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,800 ✓ | $1,880 |
| Walk Score | 34/100 | 63/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 25/100 | 46/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 7.65% |
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 $1,380 in Madison — a $100/month difference, or $1,200/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Fort Worth charges None state income tax vs 7.65% in Madison. On an $80K salary that's a $6,120/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $9,180 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Fort Worth are $340K vs $370K in Madison. At a 20% down payment, that's a $6,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Fort Worth utilities run $30 more per month than Madison. Factor this into your all-in monthly budget.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
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
Madison, WI
Madison's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Fort Worth
Hot summers (similar to Dallas, 100°F+), mild winters with occasional ice storms, severe thunderstorm and tornado season in spring
Madison
Four seasons; brutal winters (lakes freeze solid for skating), warm summers, beautiful fall; 189 sunny days
Job Market
Fort Worth top industries
Madison top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
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
Move to Madison if…
- →You're a researchers / academics
- →You're a tech workers
- →You're a outdoor / lake lifestyle seekers
- →You're a progressive culture seekers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or Madison cheaper to live in?
Fort Worth is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,800 in Fort Worth vs $1,880 in Madison — a $80/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Fort Worth or Madison?
Madison is more walkable with a Walk Score of 63/100 vs 34/100. Fort Worth is more car-dependent.
Fort Worth vs Madison: which has lower state income tax?
Fort Worth has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $6,120/year vs Madison (7.65%).
Is Fort Worth or Madison better for buying a home?
Fort Worth has lower median home prices at $340K vs $370K in Madison — a $30,000 difference on the median home.