Home › Compare › Seattle, WA vs Fort Worth, TX

Cost of Living: Seattle, WA 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.

23.4% Fort Worth, TX is cheaper overall
42.3% 42.3% 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 42.3% cheaper
Seattle
156
Fort Worth
90
🛒 Groceries 12.0% cheaper
Seattle
108
Fort Worth
95
🚗 Transportation 16.9% cheaper
Seattle
118
Fort Worth
98
🏥 Healthcare 12.7% cheaper
Seattle
110
Fort Worth
96
⚡ Utilities 13.2% more
Seattle
91
Fort Worth
103

Detailed Breakdown

Category Seattle, WA Fort Worth, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index1249523.4% less
Housing1569042.3% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,050$1,25039.0% less
Median Home Price$780,000$300,00061.5% less
Groceries1089512.0% less
Transportation1189816.9% less
Healthcare1109612.7% less
Utilities9110313.2% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Seattle, WA Fort Worth, TX
State Income TaxNone (0%)None (0%)
State Sales Tax6.50%6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.84%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Seattle, WA
$110,000
Median household income
Fort Worth, TX
$68,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Fort Worth costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Seattle (124) vs Fort Worth (95). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Seattle3.4%
Fort Worth3.9%
Job Growth (YoY)
Seattle3.8%
Fort Worth3.0%
Top Industries
SeattleTech, Aerospace, Retail
Fort WorthAerospace, Logistics, Manufacturing

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Seattle30 min
Fort Worth27 min
Walk Score
Seattle73
Fort Worth32
Air Quality (AQI)
Seattle40
Fort Worth47
Avg Temperature
Seattle52°F
Fort Worth65°F
Population
Seattle749,256
Fort Worth978,468

Moving from Seattle to Fort Worth?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Seattle 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

Seattle vs Austin → Seattle vs Denver → Seattle vs Nashville → Fort Worth vs Raleigh → Fort Worth vs Portland → Fort Worth vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seattle 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 42.3%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Seattle vs Fort Worth?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,050/month in Seattle and $1,250/month in Fort Worth — a difference of about $800 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Seattle or Fort Worth?+
Washington has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.50%. 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 Seattle to Fort Worth?+
Median household income in Seattle is $110,000 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 Seattle vs Fort Worth?+
The median home price in Seattle is $780,000 versus $300,000 in Fort Worth — a difference of $480,000. Property tax rates also differ: Washington averages 0.84% while Texas averages 1.60%.