Thinking about relocating to Fort Worth in 2025? One of the first questions many people ask is: How much will it really cost to live here compared to, say, Austin, Dallas, or Houston? While housing is a big piece, there’s more to the picture — like groceries, utilities, transportation, taxes, and entertainment. Here’s a breakdown of how Fort Worth stacks up, so you can get a clearer idea of what your monthly budget might look like.
🛒 Groceries & Food
In Fort Worth, grocery costs are very manageable. According to PayScale, grocery prices in the city are around 1% below the national average.
Meanwhile, statewide data shows that many Texas cities — including Fort Worth — cluster close together on food costs.
This means that while you’re not going to pay way more for your weekly groceries in Fort Worth, you’re also not saving a ton compared to certain cheaper Texas towns. But overall — solid, reasonable grocery costs for a big city.
💡 Utilities
Here’s where things get a little more interesting. Utilities in Fort Worth are a bit higher than average: PayScale reports that utility bills (electricity, water, etc.) can be ~16% above the national average.
Numbeo, a crowd-sourced cost-of-living site, also suggests a typical monthly utilities bill (for an ~85 m² apartment) sits around US$206.
Higher utility costs make sense — Texas summers are hot, meaning more air conditioning, and that spikes electricity usage for many households.
🚗 Transportation
If you’re budgeting for transport, Fort Worth’s cost is quite friendly. According to Forbes Advisor, transportation costs in the city are about 8.8% lower than average.
Public transport isn’t super dominant here, so many people rely on cars. But even so, gas, insurance, and upkeep tend to be lower compared to very dense or high-cost cities. According to Numbeo, a one-way transit pass is around US$2, and a monthly pass is about US$78
🏛️ Local Taxes
Good news for salary earners: Texas has no personal income tax, which is a huge plus for many movers. However, the tradeoff is property taxes, which can be quite steep depending on where you live.
In Fort Worth, your city property tax rate is US$0.6725 per $100 of value, according to Fort Worth’s adopted budget for 2025.
That’s fairly typical for the DFW area. Plus, if you’re a senior or disabled, there’s a homestead exemption of $60,000 in Fort Worth.
Compared to other Texas cities: Dallas and Austin also have high property taxes, though rates can vary depending on school districts and other local taxing bodies.
🎭 Entertainment & Local Life
Living in Fort Worth doesn’t mean you need to empty your wallet for fun. According to Numbeo, a monthly gym membership (fitness club) averages around US$35.88, which is very reasonable.
Want a beer? A domestic beer in a bar might cost around US$1.86 for half a liter.
Between parks, local festivals, and cultural venues (Fort Worth is big on music, art, and western history), you’ve got a lot of free or low-cost options to enjoy your weekends without breaking the bank.
🔍 How Fort Worth Compares Overall (2025)
- According to the Dallas Chamber’s 2025 cost index, Fort Worth’s overall cost of living index is 96.0 (with 100 = U.S. average).
- In comparison: Dallas is at 101.7, Austin is around 97.3, and Houston sits at about 94.1.
- This means Fort Worth is slightly more affordable than Dallas and Austin, but generally more expensive than some parts of Texas with lower living costs.
If you’re moving to Fort Worth, your day-to-day costs are pretty friendly — especially when it comes to food and transportation. Utilities might be a little higher, but that’s balanced by no state income tax. Local property taxes are something to plan for, but many residents feel the trade-off is worth it for the quality of life, community, and tax savings in other areas.
If you want help building a realistic monthly budget for Fort Worth + comparison to other Texas cities based on your income and lifestyle — I’m more than happy to help you run the numbers!
