Fort Worth TX vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 741,440 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 35.5 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 47.7% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 19.5% | 6.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 8.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $871,599 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 44.3% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Fort Worth +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Fort Worth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Seattle
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 28.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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