CostIndexUSA

Fort Worth, TX vs Washington, DC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Fort Worth
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
DC
Washington
108.9
overall index
$2,325/mo rent

Fort Worth is moderately cheaper than Washington — 5.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fort Worth, you would need $84,500 in Washington. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+28.2%
Fort Worth
117.9
Washington
151.1
🛒 Groceries+1.9%
Fort Worth
102.8
Washington
104.8
🚗 Transportation+2.6%
Fort Worth
104.7
Washington
107.4
🏥 Healthcare+2.6%
Fort Worth
94.7
Washington
97.2
Utilities+17.6%
Fort Worth
90.7
Washington
106.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Fort Worth to see what you'd need to earn in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$84,500
$4,500 more needed in Washington

Formula: salary × (108.9 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 1.0563. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fort Worth, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Washington, DC

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,325
Housing Index
151.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.3×

Washington has 28.2% higher housing costs compared to Fort Worth.

Income & Job Market

Fort Worth, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
918,915
Top Industries
AerospaceManufacturingHealthcareLogisticsFinance

Washington, DC

Median Household Income
$121,500
Per Capita Income
$69,300
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
689,545
Top Industries
GovernmentFinanceTechnologyHealthcareDefense

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Fort Worth, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Washington, DC
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.