Fort Worth TX vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Memphis
629,063
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Memphis
34.3
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
7.4%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
10.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 629,063 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.3 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 7.4% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 25.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 1.7% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 10.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Fort Worth +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Fort Worth +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Memphis
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $51,211 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $32,314 | Fort Worth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,097 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 8.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 22.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 28.2% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 46.0% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 639 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2350 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Fort Worth +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 42.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 20.7% | Fort Worth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.9% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 19.9% | Fort Worth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Fort Worth +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 54.9 in | Fort Worth + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Memphis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Memphis +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Memphis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Memphis + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Worth leads in median household income at $76,602, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Fort Worth is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Memphis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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