Fort Worth TX vs Los Angeles CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
36.9
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
37.3%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
8.5%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Los Angeles
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 3,857,897 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.9 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 35.8% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 47.7% | 37.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 8.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 12.0% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 47.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
16.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $80,366 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $46,270 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 7.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 16.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 37.8% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
$956,465
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
36.3%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $956,465 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 36.3% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
2388
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 27.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.4% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.9% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 11.9% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Los Angeles
62.6°F
Los Angeles +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Los Angeles
12.8 in
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 62.6°F | Los Angeles + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 12.8 in | Los Angeles + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Los Angeles
75.0%
Los Angeles +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Los Angeles + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Los Angeles
33.8 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Los Angeles, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 33.8 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 503 in Los Angeles. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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