Fort Worth TX vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 47.7% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 19.5% | 7.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 14.3% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $411,323 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Phoenix
17.3%
Phoenix +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 17.3% | Phoenix + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Fort Worth +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 72.1°F | Fort Worth + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Worth, TX vs New York, NYFort Worth, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Worth, TXFort Worth, TX vs Houston, TXFort Worth, TX vs Philadelphia, PAFort Worth, TX vs San Antonio, TX