Home › Compare › San Diego, CA vs Fort Worth, TX

Cost of Living: San Diego, CA vs Fort Worth, TX

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

28.0% Fort Worth, TX is cheaper overall
46.4% 46.4% cheaper housing
12.0% 12.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 46.4% cheaper
San Diego
168
Fort Worth
90
🛒 Groceries 12.0% cheaper
San Diego
108
Fort Worth
95
🚗 Transportation 16.9% cheaper
San Diego
118
Fort Worth
98
🏥 Healthcare 14.3% cheaper
San Diego
112
Fort Worth
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
San Diego
104
Fort Worth
103

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Diego, CA Fort Worth, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index1329528.0% less
Housing1689046.4% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,300$1,25045.7% less
Median Home Price$820,000$300,00063.4% less
Groceries1089512.0% less
Transportation1189816.9% less
Healthcare1129614.3% less
Utilities104103~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Diego, CA Fort Worth, TX
State Income Tax13.30% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax7.25%6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Diego, CA
$89,000
Median household income
Fort Worth, TX
$68,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in Fort Worth outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Fort Worth to maintain your San Diego lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Diego (132) vs Fort Worth (95). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Diego4.0%
Fort Worth3.9%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Diego2.9%
Fort Worth3.0%
Top Industries
San DiegoDefense, Biotech, Tourism
Fort WorthAerospace, Logistics, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Diego25 min
Fort Worth27 min
Walk Score
San Diego51
Fort Worth32
Air Quality (AQI)
San Diego45
Fort Worth47
Avg Temperature
San Diego64°F
Fort Worth65°F
Population
San Diego1,381,611
Fort Worth978,468

Moving from San Diego to Fort Worth?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Diego and Fort Worth → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Fort Worth →

Compare Other Cities

San Diego vs Austin → San Diego vs Denver → San Diego vs Nashville → Fort Worth vs Raleigh → Fort Worth vs Portland → Fort Worth vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Diego or Fort Worth cheaper to live in?+
Fort Worth is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 46.4%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Diego vs Fort Worth?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,300/month in San Diego and $1,250/month in Fort Worth — a difference of about $1,050 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Diego or Fort Worth?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from San Diego to Fort Worth?+
Median household income in San Diego is $89,000 compared to $68,000 in Fort Worth. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in San Diego vs Fort Worth?+
The median home price in San Diego is $820,000 versus $300,000 in Fort Worth — a difference of $520,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Texas averages 1.60%.