You might not know that a single person in Fort Worth typically spends between $2,500 and $3,200 a month on essentials alone. You’ll want clear, data-backed figures for rent, groceries, utilities, transport, and childcare so you can budget realistically. I’ll outline typical rents, utility averages, grocery and transport costs, and what salary usually covers a comfortable lifestyle — but first you’ll need to see which neighborhoods and choices change the math most.

Monthly Budget Estimates for Singles and Families

If you’re planning a move to Fort Worth, expect a single adult’s essential monthly costs to fall roughly between $2,500 and $3,200, while a family of four will typically need about $4,800 to $6,000 to cover housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

You’ll build a realistic monthly budget by starting with average rent—about $1,275 for a one-bedroom and $1,785 for a two-bedroom—then adding grocery costs, utility expenses, transportation and healthcare.

For groceries, plan roughly $335 for a single adult and about $982 for a family of four. Utility expenses typically run $250–$350 per month for a typical apartment, so factor that into living expenses alongside internet and phone service.

Use these data points to model low, mid, and high scenarios: subtracting discretionary spending gives you a baseline for savings potential.

This practical, numbers-first approach helps you set expectations and avoid surprises when you relocate.

Rent and Apartment Prices Across Fort Worth Neighborhoods

You’ll want to compare averages first: expect about $1,164 for a one‑bedroom, $1,785 for a two‑bedroom, and an overall average near $1,363 per month.

Neighborhoods vary — Downtown often tops $2,000 while areas like Central Meadowbrook and other affordable pockets can offer two‑bedrooms for $1,200–$1,300.

Also watch new developments and promotional deals, which can shift effective rents and give short‑term savings.

Average Rent by Type

While Fort Worth’s rents stay roughly 2.8% below the national median, prices vary by unit type and neighborhood: one-bedrooms average about $1,164 per month and two-bedrooms about $1,343, though high-demand areas like Downtown often top $2,000 for a two-bedroom while more affordable neighborhoods offer two-bedrooms in the $1,200–$1,300 range. You’ll use these averages to shape your monthly budget and compare rental vs. buying decisions, noting the median home price of about $355,000. Rent prices for one-bedroom apartment and two-bedroom unit options keep Fort Worth competitive for affordable housing. Below is a quick snapshot to guide your planning:

Neighborhood Price Differences

Because neighborhood and proximity to downtown drive prices, you’ll see wide rent swings across Fort Worth: one-bedrooms average about $1,164 citywide and two-bedrooms roughly $1,343, but Downtown units often top $2,000 while neighborhoods like Central Meadowbrook start near $935 for a one-bedroom.

Two-bedrooms range from about $1,200–$1,300 in outlying areas up to an average of $1,785 in pricier corridors, so use these local differences to pinpoint realistic budgets and trade-offs.

You should map housing costs against priorities — commute, safety, schools — and expect the average rent to shift accordingly.

Target affordable neighborhoods if you need lower housing costs, and build those figures into your monthly budget before touring one-bedroom apartment or two-bedroom units.

New Developments & Deals

If you’re hunting deals, Fort Worth’s new developments are worth a close look: one-bedroom averages sit around $1,164/month and two-bedrooms about $1,343, but expect Downtown listings to push past $2,000 while budget-friendly areas like Central Meadowbrook can be as much as 47% below the national average. You’ll find competitive average rent in new developments that helps your monthly budget stay lean. Rent prices run roughly 2.8% below the national median, and the median home price near $355,000 keeps housing costs attractive if you compare buying vs renting. Scan affordable neighborhoods for promos, shorter lease incentives, and reduced deposits to lower upfront costs.

Buying a Home: Prices, Mortgage Rates, and Affordability

With an average home price near $422,585 (about 17.1% below the national average) and median listings around $355,000 as of mid-2025, you’ll see why Fort Worth is considered affordable.

At a current mortgage rate of 6.90%, run the numbers — your monthly principal and interest will be considerably higher than at historic lows, and taxes and insurance will add to that payment.

Below we’ll break down typical mortgage scenarios and compare monthly ownership costs to the $1,785 average two-bedroom rent.

Current Home Prices

Housing prices in Fort Worth average about $422,585, making the city more affordable than many U.S. metros and affecting what you can expect to pay monthly at the current 6.90% mortgage rate.

You’ll see a spread between the average home price and the median home price — the median sits near $355,000, about 14.2% below national averages. That gap matters when you compare higher-demand areas to cheaper pockets.

• Downtown and popular neighborhoods often exceed $400,000, reflecting demand and limited inventory.
• More affordable neighborhoods list homes closer to $300,000, widening buyer options.
• New apartments add alternatives if buying’s cost-prohibitive.
• Track the mortgage rate, since it directly shifts your expected monthly payments and overall affordability.

Mortgage Cost Breakdown

Because mortgage rates and home prices drive monthly costs, you should expect a typical Fort Worth mortgage payment near $2,895 at today’s 6.90% rate on an average-priced home of about $422,585 — though your exact payment will shift with your down payment, loan term, and credit profile.

When planning your monthly budget, treat that monthly mortgage as the largest fixed expense; add utilities (~$230.48/month) and other essentials to reach roughly $8,062 in overall living costs.

Compare that to a suggested annual salary of $56,424 before taxes to assess affordability.

To lower mortgage payments, consider a larger down payment, longer term, or shopping rates. Run scenarios to see how small changes affect your cash flow and long-term cost.

Utility Costs: Energy, Internet, and Phone Expenses

Three utility items—energy, internet, and phone—can take a big bite out of your Fort Worth budget: average monthly energy runs about $251.01, high-speed internet about $78.75, and phone service around $210.13. Overall utility costs in the area run roughly 15–17% above the national average.

You’ll want to track utility costs closely because they affect your monthly utility expenses and overall living expenses greatly. The typical 915 sq. ft. apartment sees combined utility costs near $230.48, which helps you benchmark bills against the averages.

• Energy: $251.01 average monthly, a primary driver of utility costs.
• Internet: $78.75 for high-speed service; consider bundled options.
• Phone expenses: $210.13 average monthly; review plans to cut costs.
• Apartment benchmark: $230.48 monthly utility expenses for ~915 sq. ft.

Compare providers, audit usage, and budget using these data points so your monthly utility expenses don’t surprise you.

Grocery Prices and Typical Food Budgets

You’ll typically spend about $80–$90 per week on groceries in Fort Worth if you stick to a single-adult budget of roughly $335 per month.

Expect local staple prices like milk at $4.61/gal, eggs $3.13/dozen, bread $4.00/loaf, potatoes $4.47/lb, and steak $14.52/lb to shape that weekly total.

Compared with cities like Austin or Los Angeles, these costs are modest, and eating out runs about $16 for a cheap meal or $60 for a three-course dinner for two.

Typical Weekly Grocery Spend

On average, you can expect to spend about $77–$86 per week on groceries as a single adult in Fort Worth (roughly $335 monthly and $4,021 yearly), with common staples like a gallon of milk at $4.61 and a dozen eggs at $3.13.

You’ll find the average cost of groceries here is lower than the national average, which helps your monthly grocery cost stretch further. Weekly trips typically cover basics and a few fresh items; most single adults land in that $77–$86 band.

• Typical grocery prices for bread and steak remain reasonable compared with other metro areas.
• Food costs for families scale — a family of four averages $982/month.
• Annual grocery expenditure clarifies budgeting.
• Affordability of dining out means occasional meals may compete with grocery decisions.

Local Staple Item Prices

If weekly grocery trips in Fort Worth typically land between $77–$86, it helps to look at specific staple prices to plan your budget more precisely.

You’ll find the average monthly cost for groceries in Fort Worth is about $335 for a single adult, well below national norms.

Current prices for staple items include milk $4.61/gal, eggs $3.13/doz, and bread $4.00/loaf. Ground beef runs near $7.08/lb while steak is about $14.52/lb, showing competitive meat prices that help keep protein affordable.

Potatoes at roughly $4.47/lb further support an affordable overall grocery budget.

Dining out remains reasonable too — an average meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $16, useful when comparing groceries to monthly rent.

Healthcare Costs: Visits, Medications, and Insurance Considerations

While Fort Worth’s healthcare runs slightly above the national norm, you can still plan effectively once you know the numbers: a typical doctor visit costs about $138.71, a dentist appointment $136.11, and an optometry check-up $137.89. The average annual healthcare outlay for a single adult is roughly $3,094.

Fort Worth healthcare runs slightly above average: expect roughly $139 per doctor visit and about $3,094 yearly for a single adult

You should include healthcare costs in your monthly budget, factoring that Fort Worth’s average cost is about 4.6% higher than the national average. Prescription medications, like common OTC drugs, average around $10.98, but specialty drugs raise your out-of-pocket spending.

• Compare plan premiums and deductibles to lower overall annual cost.
• Use in-network providers to reduce doctor visits and procedure bills.
• Shop generic prescription medications and consider mail-order options.
• Budget an emergency health buffer equal to several months of co-pays.

For insurance considerations, prioritize plans that balance premiums with realistic use to control your annual healthcare cost in Fort Worth.

Transportation Expenses: Gas, Maintenance, and Transit Options

Expect to spend about $850 a month on transportation in Fort Worth — roughly $10,208 a year — driven largely by personal vehicle use and lower-than-average gas prices (around $3.03 per gallon).

That figure reflects typical transportation costs for a single adult, where over 76% of residents commute by driving alone. With the average cost of gasoline near $3.03 per gallon, fuel is a predictable portion of your monthly spend, but commuting distance and frequency will shift totals.

You’ll also budget for routine vehicle maintenance — things like tire balancing at roughly $64.73 — insurance, and occasional repairs.

Public transit exists via Trinity Metro buses and TEXRail to DFW Airport, but limited coverage means many trips still require a car.

When estimating annual transportation costs, include fuel, maintenance, insurance, depreciation and occasional rideshares. Planning for these line items helps you keep the commute reliable and prevents surprises in your monthly budget.

Childcare, Education, and Family-Related Costs

After accounting for commuting and vehicle costs, you’ll want to plan for family expenses, which can quickly dominate a household budget in Fort Worth.

You’ll likely see childcare as one of the largest line items: annual costs average about $10,249 for one child and can reach $20,190 for two. Monthly childcare expenses often exceed $850 for one child and nearly $1,700 for two, so include that in your monthly budget projections.

• Childcare: plan for $850+ monthly per child in many settings.
• Education: public education costs are generally lower here, reducing tuition pressure.
• Family expenses: allocate a substantial share of income to care and school-related needs.
• Financial planning: compare childcare options against Fort Worth’s median household income of $76,602.

Use these figures to model scenarios, prioritize emergency savings, and align childcare choices with long-term financial planning rather than short-term convenience.

Entertainment, Fitness, and Goods & Services Spending

Though your discretionary budget will vary with lifestyle, Fort Worth keeps entertainment and fitness costs relatively modest: expect to spend roughly $150 a month on entertainment (many residents budget $200–$300), pay about $12.50 for a movie ticket, and find basic gym memberships in the $30–$50 range.

You can plan monthly expenses around these figures: if you allot $150 for entertainment and $40 for a gym membership, that covers routine leisure activities and fitness.

Dining out is affordable — about $16 for an inexpensive meal or roughly $60 for a three-course dinner for two — so factor restaurant visits into your discretionary spend.

Goods and services, including clothes and personal care, run about 2.5% below the national average, which reduces overall cost.

Use these concrete numbers to build a realistic budget: combine entertainment, gym memberships, dining out, and occasional goods and services to estimate your monthly expenses and maintain affordable, balanced leisure activities without surprises.

What Salary You Need to Live Comfortably in Fort Worth

How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Fort Worth? You’ll want an annual salary of about $56,424 before taxes — roughly $4,703 monthly income — to cover typical costs and save a bit.

If you follow the 30% rent rule, a monthly income near $4,663 is needed, which equals about $26.90 per hour full time.

• Housing expenses: average rent $1,445 + utilities $251.01 → major monthly share.
• Groceries: about $335/month (≈ $4,021 annually) — factor into food budget.
• Essentials: overall essential living expenses ≈ $19,258/year (healthcare, transport, etc.).
• Practical target: aim for an annual salary slightly above $56k to handle taxes, surprises, and modest savings.

This data-driven view answers “salary do I need” to live comfortably in Fort Worth and helps you plan realistic monthly and annual salary goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Cost of Living in Fort Worth, Texas With Rent?

You’ll pay about $1,399–$1,785 rent for one- to two-bedroom housing options; add utility costs ~$230, lower grocery prices, modest transportation expenses, moderate entertainment, accessible health care, and reasonable education costs for a ~$56,424 salary.

How Much Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Fort Worth, Texas?

You’ll need about $56,424 annually (roughly $4,704 monthly) to live comfortably, considering average salary, housing market, utility bills, grocery expenses, transportation costs, lifestyle choices and entertainment options when planning your budget.

What Is the Average Cost of Living per Month in Texas?

Coincidentally, you’ll find Texas housing, Food prices, Transportation costs, Utility expenses, Healthcare services, Entertainment options and Grocery affordability combine to average roughly $3,500–$4,700 monthly depending on city, lifestyle, and housing choice.

Is Fort Worth Affordable to Live?

Yes — you’ll find Fort Worth affordable: Fort Worth neighborhoods offer varied housing options, transportation costs and food prices are lower, the job market’s solid, lifestyle expenses stay reasonable, though utility bills can be slightly higher.

Conclusion

You can stretch your dollars pretty far in Fort Worth — think less Vegas budget, more smart Midwestern practicality. With one-bed rents near $1,164, groceries around $335, and roughly $850 in transport, plan on $2,500–$3,200 monthly as a single and $4,800–$6,000 for a family of four. Whether renting or buying, use these figures to model mortgage, utility, and childcare costs so you’ll avoid surprises and actually enjoy the city.