Austin TX vs Fort Worth TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Fort Worth
941,311
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Fort Worth
17.0%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Fort Worth
47.7%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Fort Worth
5.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Fort Worth
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 941,311 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 33.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 17.0% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 47.7% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 19.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 34.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Fort Worth
$76,602
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Fort Worth
$37,157
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Fort Worth
$63,758
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Fort Worth
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Fort Worth
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Fort Worth
31.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $76,602 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $37,157 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $63,758 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 12.9% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 31.7% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $299,655 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 56.8% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Fort Worth
442
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Fort Worth
2339
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 442 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2339 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Fort Worth
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Fort Worth
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Fort Worth
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Fort Worth
20.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Fort Worth
13.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 34.6% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 12.2% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 18.5% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 20.0% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.8% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Fort Worth
37.8 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 65.8°F | Fort Worth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 37.8 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Fort Worth
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Fort Worth
29.0 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Worth, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 29.0 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Fort Worth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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