Fort Worth TX vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Virginia Beach
457,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 457,066 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.4 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 9.1% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 19.5% | 18.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 8.9% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $427,121 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 36.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Worth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.6%.
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