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Houston vs Fort Worth: Full Comparison

Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data

Quick Answer

Fort Worth is 56% safer. Houston has more comfortable months (6 vs 6). Houston population: 2,397,315. Fort Worth population: 1,028,117.

Which city is better for you?

Cost of LivingTie
SafetyFort Worth
WeatherTie
HousingHouston

Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.

Cost of Living: Houston vs Fort Worth

CategoryHoustonFort Worth
Overall Index100100
Housing$2,100/moIndex: 118$2,136/moIndex: 120
Groceries$394/moIndex: 96$398/moIndex: 97
Transportation$357/moIndex: 102$357/moIndex: 102
Healthcare$320/moIndex: 100$320/moIndex: 100
Utilities$220/moIndex: 100$220/moIndex: 100

Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.

Safety: Houston vs Fort Worth

Fort Worth is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.7 per 1,000 residents vs Houston's 54. Fort Worth earns a C+ safety grade compared to Houston's F. Based on 2023 FBI data.

F

Houston

Texas

Overall GradeF
Violent CrimeF
Property CrimeF
Crime Rate54/1K
TrendDeclining
C+

Fort Worth

Texas

Overall GradeC+
Violent CrimeC+
Property CrimeB-
Crime Rate23.7/1K
TrendStable
MetricHoustonFort Worth
Overall Crime Rate54/1K23.7/1K
Violent Crime Rate900.0384.8
Property Crime Rate4500.01983.3
Murder Rate14.76.9
Assault Rate621.4292.7
Robbery Rate128.946.5
Burglary Rate769.2247.5
Theft Rate3592.51801.4
Vehicle Theft Rate781.0296.0

Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).

Victim Odds

In Houston, you have a 1 in 19 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 42 in Fort Worth.

Climate: Houston vs Fort Worth

Houston Climate Overview

Annual High80°F
Annual Low60.1°F
Annual Rain47.9"
Annual SnowNone
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthApril
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ComfortableWarmHot

Fort Worth Climate Overview

Annual High76.8°F
Annual Low55.5°F
Annual Rain34.3"
Annual Snow1.5"
Comfortable Months6
Best MonthOctober
Worst MonthJanuary
Monthly Temperature
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
ColdComfortableWarmHot

Monthly Temperature Comparison

HoustonFort WorthHigh/Low °F range
40°60°80°100°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
MetricHoustonFort Worth
Avg Annual High80°F76.8°F
Avg Annual Low60.1°F55.5°F
Annual Rain47.9"34.3"
Annual SnowNone1.5"
Comfortable Months66
Freezing Months00

Both cities have similar summer temperatures, but Fort Worth is 8°F colder in winter than Houston. Fort Worth gets 2 inches of snow annually, while Houston rarely sees any. Houston is wetter with 48" of annual rain compared to 34".

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston cheaper than Fort Worth?
Houston and Fort Worth have very similar costs of living (index 100 vs 100, where 100 is the national average). Day-to-day expenses are comparable in both cities.
Is Houston safer than Fort Worth?
Fort Worth is 56% safer overall, with a crime rate of 23.7 per 1,000 residents vs Houston's 54. Fort Worth earns a C+ safety grade. Based on 2023 FBI data.
Which city has better weather, Houston or Fort Worth?
Houston is 3.200000000000003°F warmer on average as Fort Worth. Houston has more comfortable months (6 vs 6). Annual snow: Houston gets none, Fort Worth gets 2".
Should I move to Houston or Fort Worth?
It depends on your priorities. Fort Worth is safer (C+ grade). Houston is more affordable (index 100 vs 100). Houston has better year-round weather. Houston has a population of 2,397,315 and Fort Worth has 1,028,117. Consider job market, culture, and proximity to family alongside these data points.
How big is Houston compared to Fort Worth?
Houston has a population of 2,397,315 and Fort Worth has 1,028,117. Houston is 133% larger by population.
Is housing cheaper in Houston or Fort Worth?
Housing is cheaper in Houston. Estimated monthly housing costs: Houston $2,100/mo vs Fort Worth $2,136/mo. That's based on a housing index of 118 vs 120 (100 = national average of $1,780/mo).

Learn More About Each City

F
Houston Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
C+
Fort Worth Safety ReportFull crime breakdown and trends
Salary CalculatorClimate Compare ToolSafety Comparison Tool

Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.

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