Quick answer
Fort Worth costs $10/month less overall ($1,800 vs $1,810/mo). Fort Worth also has lower state income tax (None vs 5.75%), widening the advantage for higher earners.
City Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth vs Richmond
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 Richmond at a Glance
| Metric | Fort Worth | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,280 ✓ | $1,680 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,620 ✓ | $1,680 |
| Median Home Price | $340K | $330K ✓ |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $175 | $145 ✓ |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $345 ✓ | $345 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,800 ✓ | $1,810 |
| Walk Score | 34/100 | 51/100 ✓ |
| Transit Score | 25/100 | 37/100 ✓ |
| State Income Tax | None ✓ | 5.75% |
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 $1,320 in Richmond — a $40/month difference, or $480/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 5.75% in Richmond. On an $80K salary that's a $4,600/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $6,900 vs $0 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Richmond are $330K vs $340K in Fort Worth. At a 20% down payment, that's a $2,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Fort Worth utilities run $30 more per month than Richmond. 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
Richmond, VA
Richmond is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
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
Richmond
Four seasons; hot humid summers, mild winters with occasional snow, pleasant spring and fall
Job Market
Fort Worth top industries
Richmond 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
Move to Richmond if…
- →You're a finance workers
- →You're a outdoor enthusiasts
- →You're a craft beer lovers
- →You're a DC-adjacent remote workers
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Worth or Richmond cheaper to live in?
Fort Worth is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,800 in Fort Worth vs $1,810 in Richmond — a $10/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Fort Worth or Richmond?
Richmond is more walkable with a Walk Score of 51/100 vs 34/100. Fort Worth is more car-dependent.
Fort Worth vs Richmond: which has lower state income tax?
Fort Worth has lower state income tax (None). On an $80K salary, that saves $4,600/year vs Richmond (5.75%).
Is Fort Worth or Richmond better for buying a home?
Richmond has lower median home prices at $330K vs $340K in Fort Worth — a $10,000 difference on the median home.