Performance
Score Breakdown
Fort Worth
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Worth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
47% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Fort Worth's average rent is
55% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Fort Worth | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,525 | $3,382 | -55% |
| Groceries | $400 | $520 | -23% |
| Utilities | $180 | $370 | -51% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,475 | $4,652 | -47% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 36% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Fort Worth delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Fort Worth is estimated at
$55,002 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Fort Worth | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $55,002 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $79,507 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Fort Worth | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Fort Worth has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Fort Worth | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 35.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Fort Worth.
From a growth perspective, Fort Worth is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Fort Worth | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,028,117 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.00% | % |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $139.9B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Fort Worth
Advantages
Fort Worth's population surpassed 1 million residents in 2024, making it the 11th most populous U.S. city and one of the fastest-growing in the nation.
The median household income in Fort Worth grew to $79,507 in 2024, a 3.79% increase from the previous year.
The cost of living in Fort Worth is generally lower than the national average, with reasonable utility and internet costs.
Fort Worth's job market is strong and growing, with significant expansion in professional and business services, financial activities, and trade, transportation, and utilities.
The city offers a rich cultural experience, blending its Western heritage with world-class museums and diverse entertainment options.
Drawbacks
Fort Worth is largely car-dependent, with limited public transit options and a low transit access score.
Average commute times in Fort Worth are slightly longer than the U.S. average, and traffic congestion can be significant during peak hours.
While housing remains relatively affordable compared to some major cities, its affordability has started to wane due to rapid population growth.
The city's overall walkability score is low, making it challenging to accomplish most errands on foot outside of specific neighborhoods.
The growth rate in Tarrant County, which centers on Fort Worth, slowed in 2025 compared to previous years.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Fort Worth
#21Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,525
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
35.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.00%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
74
Business
68
New York City
#65New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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