Fort Worth TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Washington
13.3%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Fort Worth +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 672,079 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.9 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 13.3% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 39.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Black | 19.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 4.1% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 11.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Fort Worth +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Fort Worth +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 6.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 14.5% | Fort Worth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Fort Worth +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $580,173 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 41.1% | Fort Worth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Fort Worth +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 24.0% | Fort Worth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | 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
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 32.8 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Fort Worth. Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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