Performance
Score Breakdown
Houston
Fort Worth
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Fort Worth is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
30% higher compared to Houston.
Housing costs are a major driver: Houston's average rent is
18% higher than Fort Worth's.
| Metric | Houston | Fort Worth | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,525 | +18% |
| Groceries | $682 | $400 | +71% |
| Utilities | $253 | $180 | +41% |
| Transport | $348 | $120 | +190% |
| Healthcare | $141 | $250 | -44% |
| Monthly Total | $3,224 | $2,475 | +30% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Houston offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Houston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Houston is estimated at
$69,000 vs $55,002 in Fort Worth.
| Metric | Houston | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,200 | $65,000 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $55,002 |
| Purchasing Power | 80,860 idx | 68,421 idx |
| Household Income | $97,458 | $79,507 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Houston | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 75.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Houston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Houston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Houston | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 27 min |
| Transit Score | 36.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 49.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Houston is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x 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 | Houston | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,319,119 | 1,028,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.60% | 2.00% |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 33.6 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.10% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $139.9B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Houston
Advantages
The cost of living in Houston is 6% lower than the national average, making it a budget-friendly major city.
Houston's job market is projected to add 75,000 new jobs in 2025, with strong growth in healthcare, energy, and professional services.
Violent crime rates in Houston saw significant declines between 2024 and 2025, with homicides dropping by 17%.
The city is a major hub for healthcare, home to the Texas Medical Center, offering high-quality medical services.
Houston exhibits a strong entrepreneurial climate, with a 92% rise in small business account applications from 2024 to 2025.
Drawbacks
Houston's overall crime rate remains high compared to many other U.S. communities, with a 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of violent or property crime in 2024.
Summers in Houston are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, with average daily highs above 89°F from June to September.
The city experiences significant traffic congestion, leading to a high car dependency and an average commute time of 28 minutes.
Houston's walkability and transit scores are relatively low, making it challenging to get around without a car.
While the metro area is growing, population growth within the city of Houston itself slowed significantly in 2025.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Houston
#49Texas, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$75,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
36.0/10
Walkability
49.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.60%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
68
Business
72
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
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