Fort Worth TX vs San Francisco 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%
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
836,321
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
40.5%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
15.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 836,321 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 39.7 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 47.7% | 40.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 5.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 15.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $1,369,171 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 38.5% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, 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%
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
19.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
San Francisco
55.3°F
San Francisco +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
San Francisco
20.7 in
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 55.3°F | San Francisco + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 20.7 in | San Francisco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
San Francisco +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Francisco + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 33.9 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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 Phoenix, AZFort Worth, TX vs Philadelphia, PA