The cost of living in Fort Worth, Texas starts at about $3,469 per month after taxes for one adult under MIT’s 2026 Tarrant County basic-needs model. For two working adults with two children, the same model totals about $8,111 per month after taxes. Rent is only one part of that budget: transportation, food, healthcare, childcare, utilities, taxes, and personal spending can materially change what you need. Current September 2026 rent data also shows why definitions matter: Apartment List reports a $1,337 citywide median rent, while the Census Bureau’s $1,509 figure is a 2020–2024 median gross rent measure that includes tenant-paid utilities.
Quick Answer
For basic needs, plan on roughly $3,469 per month after taxes for one adult ($48,776 required pre-tax income) or $8,111 per month after taxes for two working adults with two children ($108,618 combined pre-tax income), based on MIT’s February 2026 Tarrant County model. A separate 2026 SmartAsset study using a 50/30/20 framework puts a “comfortable” Fort Worth salary much higher: $97,552 for one adult and $217,235 for a two-working-parent family of four. Treat the MIT figures as a basic-needs floor, not a lifestyle target.
How to Read the Numbers
- MIT Living Wage Calculator: a Tarrant County basic-needs model for household budgets and required income.
- Census QuickFacts: a historical 2020–2024 benchmark for Fort Worth housing and commute data, not a live asking-rent feed.
- Apartment List / Redfin / Freddie Mac: newer 2026 market snapshots for rents, home-sale prices, and mortgage rates.
Key Takeaways
- MIT’s living-wage estimate for one adult in Tarrant County is $23.45 per hour ($48,776/year before taxes).
- Apartment List’s September 2026 report puts Fort Worth median rent at $1,337 overall, including $1,142 for a one-bedroom and $1,318 for a two-bedroom.
- MIT models transportation at $757/month for one adult; Fort Worth’s 2020–2024 mean commute is 27.1 minutes.
- MIT models childcare at $921/month for one child and $1,817/month for two children in the relevant working-household scenarios.
- Texas prohibits an individual income tax. Fort Worth’s combined sales tax is 8.25%, while property-tax bills depend on the full set of local taxing jurisdictions and exemptions.
What’s in This Article
- Monthly Budget Estimates for Singles and Families
- Fort Worth vs. the U.S. Average
- Current Fort Worth Rent and Apartment Prices
- Upfront Costs When Renting
- Buying a Home: Prices, Mortgage Rates, and Affordability
- Taxes to Include in Your Fort Worth Budget
- Utility Costs: Energy, Internet, and Phone Expenses
- Grocery Prices and Typical Food Budgets
- Healthcare Costs: Visits, Medications, and Insurance Considerations
- Transportation Expenses: Car Costs and Transit Options
- Childcare, Education, and Family-Related Costs
- Entertainment, Fitness, and Other Spending
- What Salary You Need to Live Comfortably in Fort Worth
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- Sources
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Fort Worth? Monthly Budget Estimates
The baseline figures below originate from the MIT Living Wage Calculator for Tarrant County, updated February 15, 2026. This model calculates the strict income required to secure basic necessities. It does not include discretionary dining out, debt repayment, retirement savings, or emergency fund accumulation.
| Household Type | Basic Expenses After Tax | Required Income Before Tax | Living Wage Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 adult, no children | $3,469/month | $48,776/year | $23.45/hour |
| 1 adult, 1 child | $5,874/month | $79,286/year | $38.12/hour |
| 2 adults, 1 working, 2 children | $6,294/month | $81,489/year | $39.18/hour (sole worker) |
| 2 adults, both working, 2 children | $8,111/month | $108,618/year combined | $26.11/hour each worker |
The dual-earner family model includes $21,809 per year ($1,817/month) for childcare for two children. MIT assigns $0 to its childcare line for the two-adult, one-working-adult household with two children, so the two modeled household budgets differ by $21,809 per year. That is a feature of the model, not a guarantee that a one-worker household will have no childcare expenses.
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Where a Single Adult’s Monthly Income Goes
| Expense Category | Approximate Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Housing (MIT housing component; HUD FMR-based gross rent includes major tenant-paid utilities) | $1,443 |
| Transportation (Vehicle, Gas, Insurance) | $757 |
| Food & Groceries | $341 |
| Medical Out-of-Pocket & Premiums | $254 |
| Internet & Mobile Phone | $121 |
| Civic & Other Basic Necessities | About $554 |
In the 2026 Tarrant County basic-needs baseline, housing and transportation consume $2,200 per month—accounting for 63% of a single adult’s total net budget.
Is Fort Worth Expensive Compared With the U.S. Average?
Redfin’s current cost-of-living calculator estimates Fort Worth’s overall cost of living at 5% below the national average. Its category comparison puts housing at 14% below the national average, utilities at 12% above, groceries at 1% below, transportation at 8% below, and healthcare at 2% above.
Use those percentages as relative context, not as a substitute for your own monthly budget. The MIT figures in this guide answer a different question: what a specific household needs for basic expenses in Tarrant County. Current rent, mortgage, childcare, insurance, commute, and debt can move your real total well above or below a citywide index.
What Are Typical Rent Prices in Fort Worth in 2026?
Current rent depends on both the dataset and the definition. Apartment List’s September 2026 Fort Worth Rent Report puts the citywide median at $1,337 per month, with a one-bedroom median of $1,142 and a two-bedroom median of $1,318. Those figures reflect the rental market and are down 1.8% year over year.
The U.S. Census Bureau, by contrast, reports a $1,509 median gross rent for 2020–2024. Census gross rent includes contract rent plus tenant-paid utilities, so it should not be treated as a September 2026 asking-rent average. The HUD Fair Market Rent system is another useful affordability benchmark, but HUD FMRs are policy-oriented gross-rent estimates rather than a simple average of current apartment listings.
Current Fort Worth Rent Benchmarks
Use same-method figures when comparing apartments. Neighborhoods such as Downtown, West 7th, Near Southside, Alliance, and southwest Fort Worth can differ sharply by building age, amenities, parking, and unit size, so live listings are more reliable than an unsupported neighborhood-wide “average.”
| Benchmark | Amount | Period | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment List — all bedroom sizes | $1,337/mo | September 2026 report | Citywide median rent |
| Apartment List — 1 bedroom | $1,142/mo | September 2026 report | Citywide median for one-bedroom units |
| Apartment List — 2 bedroom | $1,318/mo | September 2026 report | Citywide median for two-bedroom units |
| U.S. Census Bureau — median gross rent | $1,509/mo | 2020–2024 | Historical gross rent, including tenant-paid utilities |
What Income Lines Up With Current Fort Worth Rent?
HUD uses 30% of income for gross housing costs, including utilities, as a general affordability guideline. Applying that percentage to Apartment List’s September 2026 rent-only medians gives the screening figures below. Because utilities and other housing charges are not included in these Apartment List rents, the table is a starting check rather than a full affordability test.
| Rental Benchmark | September 2026 Median Rent | Gross Income at 30% Rent-Only Check |
|---|---|---|
| All bedroom sizes | $1,337/month | About $53,480/year |
| 1 bedroom | $1,142/month | About $45,680/year |
| 2 bedroom | $1,318/month | About $52,720/year |
Pro Tip: When evaluating concession specials (e.g., “6 weeks free on a 12-month lease”), divide total lease savings across 12 months to calculate your true effective rent before comparing options.
What Upfront Move-In Costs Should You Expect When Renting?
Securing a Fort Worth lease usually requires more cash than the advertised first month’s rent. Fees and deposits vary by property, applicant, utility provider, pet policy, and insurance requirement, so there is no reliable citywide dollar range for each item. Before applying, ask the property for a written move-in statement covering:
- Application and screening fees for each adult applicant
- Any administrative or lease-setup fee
- The refundable security deposit and conditions for deductions
- Utility setup requirements and any provider deposits
- Pet deposits, pet fees, and monthly pet rent, if applicable
- Required renters-insurance coverage and liability limits
- Parking, trash, pest-control, amenity, package, or technology fees that are not included in base rent
Best comparison method: add every mandatory fee for the full lease term, subtract concessions, then divide by the lease length. That gives you a more realistic effective monthly housing cost than advertised rent alone.
How Affordable Is Buying a Home in Fort Worth?
The Census Bureau reports a $303,000 median value for owner-occupied Fort Worth housing in its 2020–2024 QuickFacts data. For a more current market snapshot, Redfin reports a $339,820 median sale price in July 2026, with homes selling in about 46 days over the period it tracks.
Mortgage rates directly affect the monthly payment. Freddie Mac reported an average 6.71% 30-year fixed mortgage rate on September 3, 2026. Your actual rate depends on credit, loan type, down payment, points, and lender pricing.
Mortgage Payment Sample Breakdown
The example below uses Redfin’s July 2026 median sale price of $339,820, 20% down, a 30-year term, and Freddie Mac’s September 3 average rate of 6.71%. It is an illustration, not a lender quote.
| Home Purchase Price | $339,820 |
| 20% Down Payment | $67,964 |
| Total Loan Principal | $271,856 |
| Fixed Interest Rate | 6.71% |
| Monthly Principal & Interest (P&I) | About $1,756/month |
Crucial Note: The $1,756 estimate is principal and interest only. A real ownership budget must also include property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, possible HOA dues, and closing costs. Those items vary too much by property and borrower to justify a single citywide add-on.
For historical context, the Census Bureau reports $2,188 in median selected monthly owner costs for Fort Worth households with a mortgage in its 2020–2024 data. That measure reflects actual owner costs in an earlier period and is not tied to Redfin’s July 2026 median-priced home, so do not substitute it for a current mortgage quote. It does reinforce why principal and interest alone understates the full cost of ownership.
What Taxes Should You Include in Your Fort Worth Budget?
The Texas Constitution prohibits an individual income tax. That does not make Fort Worth tax-free: sales and property taxes still affect household costs.
- Sales Tax: Texas charges a 6.25% state sales tax, and local jurisdictions can add up to 2%. Fort Worth’s combined rate is 8.25%. For an exact address, use the Texas Comptroller Rate Locator.
- Property Tax: Fort Worth’s adopted FY2025–2026 municipal property-tax rate is $0.6700 per $100 of assessed value. The total bill also depends on county, hospital district, college, school-district, and other applicable taxing units, plus exemptions. Do not apply a single citywide “effective” percentage to every property.
- Rate-change watch: As of September 8, 2026, the FY2027 city budget page lists a proposed municipal rate of $0.7020 per $100. It is a recommendation, not the adopted FY2026 rate used above; the final budget and tax-rate vote is currently scheduled for September 15, 2026.
How Much Do Utilities, Energy, and Internet Cost in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth is in Texas’s competitive retail electricity market. Customers choose a Retail Electric Provider (REP), while Oncor operates the local delivery network for much of the area. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports a 15.94-cent-per-kWh Texas residential average for June 2026, the latest month available as of this update.
At that statewide average, 1,000 kWh corresponds to roughly $159. That is a benchmark, not a Fort Worth plan quote. Your Electricity Facts Label may show energy charges and Oncor delivery charges separately. Because EIA’s average price reflects what residential customers paid overall, do not add a second set of Oncor charges to the $159 benchmark. For current delivery components and riders, check Oncor’s tariff and rate schedules.
| Utility Category | Verified 2026 Planning Benchmark |
|---|---|
| Residential electricity | 15.94¢/kWh Texas average in June 2026; about $159 at 1,000 kWh |
| Water — small residential meter, inside city | $13.75 monthly service charge, plus metered usage under the 2026 Fort Worth rate schedule |
| Wastewater — small residential meter, inside city | $7.90 monthly service charge plus $4.30/CCF for residential volume under the 2026 schedule |
| City garbage cart | $19.50/month for a 64-gallon cart or $25.75/month for a 96-gallon cart |
2027 rate watch: Fort Worth City Council approved new water and wastewater rates on August 25, 2026, effective January 1, 2027. For an inside-city 5/8-inch × 3/4-inch meter, the water monthly service charge rises from $13.75 to $14.45 and the wastewater service charge rises from $7.90 to $8.35. The residential wastewater volume rate rises from $4.30 to $4.33/CCF; higher residential water-use tiers above 12 CCF also increase. People moving late in 2026 should budget for the 2027 schedule.
Internet and mobile prices depend on address, speed tier, equipment, promotions, taxes, and bundled service. Check the providers available at the exact address rather than relying on a single citywide average.
What Is a Typical Grocery Budget in Fort Worth?
The MIT model allocates $341 per month ($4,089 annually) to groceries for a single adult in Tarrant County. A family of four receives a monthly food allowance of $997 ($11,968 annually).
For a national cross-check, the USDA Food Plans list a January 2026 Moderate-Cost Plan of $329.20/month for women ages 20–50 and $390.20/month for men ages 20–50. USDA figures are national at-home food plans, so they are a benchmark rather than a Fort Worth grocery receipt.
How Much Does Healthcare Cost in Tarrant County?
MIT estimates baseline medical costs of $3,045 annually ($254/month) for a single worker in Tarrant County, and $10,045 annually ($837/month) for a family of four. Out-of-pocket expenses vary based on employer subsidy levels and insurance deductibles.
Financial Disclaimer: This guide provides general economic estimates for educational purposes. Consult a certified financial planner or tax professional for personalized financial advice.
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What Are Fort Worth Transportation, Car, and Toll Costs?
MIT models transportation expenses at $757 per month ($9,080/year) for one adult and $1,269 per month ($15,230/year) for two working adults with two children. These are modeled transportation budgets, not just gasoline costs.
U.S. Census QuickFacts reports a 27.1-minute mean commute for Fort Worth workers in 2020–2024. Toll spending cannot be reduced to a reliable citywide monthly average because it depends on route, time, frequency, and payment method. If your commute uses facilities such as the Chisholm Trail Parkway or managed lanes, price the actual route before signing a lease.
Public transportation options managed by Trinity Metro include local bus routes, Trinity Metro On-Demand, and TEXRail service connecting Downtown Fort Worth with DFW International Airport Terminal B. Current local fares are $2 for a single ride, $4 for a one-day pass, and $18 for a seven-day pass.
How Much Does Childcare and Education Cost in Fort Worth?
Childcare is one of the biggest differences between the one-earner and two-earner family scenarios in MIT’s Tarrant County model. It budgets $11,054 per year ($921/month) for one child in the relevant working-parent scenario and $21,809 per year ($1,817/month) for two children when both adults work.
Actual provider tuition depends on the child’s age, schedule, location, program type, registration fees, and whether meals or extended care are included. Because the original citywide infant and preschool price ranges were not tied to a verifiable source, use the MIT benchmark for planning and request current written rates from the specific providers you are considering.
How Much Should You Budget for Entertainment and Fitness?
MIT’s living-wage budget is designed around basic needs, so it should not be read as a full entertainment or lifestyle allowance. Dining out, gym memberships, events, hobbies, subscriptions, alcohol, vacations, and other discretionary purchases need a separate line in your budget.
A practical approach is to build your Fort Worth budget in two layers: first cover the MIT-modeled essentials for your household, then add the amount you actually want for discretionary spending, debt repayment, emergency savings, and retirement. This avoids presenting fast-changing restaurant, gym, or ticket prices as if they were stable citywide averages.
What Salary Do You Need to Live Comfortably in Fort Worth?
“Basic needs” and “comfortable” are different benchmarks. MIT estimates the income required for necessities. SmartAsset’s 2026 study defines a comfortable salary using a 50/30/20 framework: 50% of post-tax income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or other future goals.
For Fort Worth, published 2026 reporting on the SmartAsset study gives a $97,552 salary for one adult and $217,235 combined income for a two-working-parent family of four. These are framework-based targets, not legal, lender, or financial-planning requirements.
| Household Composition | MIT Basic Pre-Tax Income | 2026 50/30/20 “Comfortable” Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| 1 adult, no children | $48,776 | $97,552 |
| 2 adults, both working, 2 children | $108,618 combined | $217,235 combined |
The article’s MIT table above also includes a single parent and a one-earner family. SmartAsset’s published city study does not use those same household profiles, so this guide does not invent “comfortable” figures for them. Start with MIT’s verified basic-needs income, then add your actual savings, debt, insurance, and discretionary goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Worth Cost of Living
What is the cost of living in Fort Worth, Texas, with rent?
MIT’s 2026 Tarrant County model estimates about $3,469 per month after taxes for one adult, including a modeled housing budget of about $1,443 per month. Separately, Apartment List’s September 2026 report puts Fort Worth’s current citywide median rent at $1,337, including $1,142 for a one-bedroom and $1,318 for a two-bedroom.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Fort Worth?
MIT’s basic-needs threshold is $48,776 before taxes for one adult with no children. Under SmartAsset’s 2026 50/30/20 methodology, the published Fort Worth “comfortable” salary is much higher at $97,552 for one adult. The two numbers answer different questions: minimum modeled needs versus a framework that reserves income for wants and future goals.
Is Fort Worth cheaper than Dallas for rent?
It depends on apartment size. In Apartment List’s September 2026 same-method reports, Fort Worth’s all-size median is $1,337 versus $1,329 in Dallas, so Fort Worth is $8 higher on that broad measure. But Fort Worth is lower for a one-bedroom ($1,142 versus $1,214) and a two-bedroom ($1,318 versus $1,437). Compare the same bedroom count and commute rather than relying on one citywide figure.
Is Fort Worth cheaper than the U.S. average?
Redfin’s current cost-of-living calculator estimates Fort Worth at 5% below the national average overall. Its category comparison shows housing 14% below the national average but utilities 12% above it, so your result can differ depending on housing choice and energy use.
Is Fort Worth affordable to live in?
Affordability depends on household size and income. MIT’s 2026 model requires $48,776 before tax for one adult with no children, while Apartment List’s September 2026 report puts median rent at $1,337. Fort Worth rent was down 1.8% year over year in that report, but transportation and childcare can still make the total budget substantially higher than rent alone.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Fort Worth?
There is no universal winner. Apartment List reports a $1,337 citywide median rent in September 2026. Redfin reports a $339,820 median home sale price in July 2026; with 20% down and Freddie Mac’s September 3 average 6.71% rate, the example principal-and-interest payment is about $1,756 per month before property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and possible HOA dues. Length of stay, down payment, taxes, insurance, and maintenance determine which option is cheaper for you.
How much does a family of four need in Fort Worth?
MIT estimates about $6,294 per month after taxes for two adults, one worker, and two children when paid childcare is not modeled. With both adults working and two children, the estimate rises to about $8,111 per month after taxes and $108,618 in combined pre-tax income, including $21,809 per year in modeled childcare costs.
Can you live in Fort Worth without a car?
It is possible in some well-served areas, but it is harder if your home, job, school, or regular errands are not near Trinity Metro routes. Local transit includes buses, On-Demand service, and TEXRail, with a $2 local single ride and a $4 local day pass. Check your actual commute before assuming you can remove a car from the budget.
Conclusion
For a realistic 2026 Fort Worth budget, start with MIT’s Tarrant County basic-needs floor: about $3,469 per month after taxes for one adult or $8,111 per month for two working adults with two children. Then replace the model’s housing and transportation assumptions with your actual rent or mortgage, commute, childcare, insurance, debt, savings, and discretionary spending. Apartment List’s September 2026 median rent is down 1.8% year over year, while Redfin’s broader index places Fort Worth 5% below the U.S. average overall but 12% above it for utilities. A basic-needs budget is still very different from a 50/30/20 “comfortable” target. For contextual guidance on nearby markets, review our Texas relocation guides [VERIFY: confirm target URL].
Sources
- MIT Living Wage Calculator: Tarrant County, Texas — Updated February 15, 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Fort Worth city, Texas — Housing and commute benchmarks
- Apartment List: Fort Worth Rent Report — September 2026 city rent medians
- HUD Fair Market Rents — Gross-rent benchmark documentation
- Redfin Fort Worth Housing Market — July 2026 median sale price and market pace
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey — September 3, 2026 mortgage-rate benchmark
- Texas Constitution, Article VIII — Individual income tax prohibition
- Texas Comptroller: Sales and Use Tax — State and local sales-tax framework
- City of Fort Worth FY2026 Budget — Adopted municipal property-tax rate
- City of Fort Worth FY2027 Budget — Proposed 2027 municipal property-tax rate
- U.S. Energy Information Administration — June 2026 Texas residential electricity average
- Oncor Tariffs and Rate Schedules — Delivery-rate structure and riders
- City of Fort Worth Water and Wastewater Rates — 2026 service and volume charges
- City of Fort Worth Garbage Service — Residential cart fees
- USDA Food Plans — January 2026 national at-home food benchmarks
- Trinity Metro Transit Fares — Local fare pricing
- North Texas Tollway Authority: Chisholm Trail Parkway — Fort Worth toll-road context
- SmartAsset: Salary Needed to Live Comfortably in U.S. Cities — 2026 Study — 50/30/20 methodology
- CultureMap Fort Worth: 2026 Comfortable Salary Report — Fort Worth figures reported from the SmartAsset study
- Redfin Cost of Living Calculator: Fort Worth — National-average category comparisons
- Apartment List: Dallas Rent Report — September 2026 same-method Dallas rent medians
- HUD USER Glossary — 30% gross-housing-cost affordability guideline
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