City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 143 in Anaheim, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 165, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fort Worth is cheaper. Median rent is $1,509 a month versus $2,175 in Anaheim.
The cost gap between Fort Worth and Anaheim is the real story here. Fort Worth comes in 31% cheaper on typical rent ($1,509 vs $2,175), which over a year adds up to $7,992. Median household income runs $79,507 in Fort Worth and $95,227 in Anaheim.
This is a genuine split. Fort Worth wins on cost of living and safety and Anaheim wins on the job market. Which matters more depends entirely on how you live: remote workers and families weight these categories differently than commuters or single professionals.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Fort Worth at $1,509 average has pockets that run $1,309 and others at $1,909: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Fort Worth and Anaheim are 1,190 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $2,175 a month in Anaheim, up $666 a month (44%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $95,227 in Anaheim, up $15,720 (20%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 143 in Anaheim, up 8 points (6%).
The move
Anaheim and Fort Worth are 1,190 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,175 a month in Anaheim to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, down $666 a month (31%).
Median household income goes from $95,227 in Anaheim to $79,507 in Fort Worth, down $15,720 (17%).
The crime index goes from 143 in Anaheim to 135 in Fort Worth, down 8 points (6%).
Fort Worth, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Anaheim, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fort Worth and Anaheim? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
31% cheaper
Fort Worth rent is 31% cheaper than Anaheim
Fort Worth
Winner$1,509/mo
Anaheim
$2,175/mo
Typical rent runs $1,509 a month in Fort Worth versus $2,175 in Anaheim, so Fort Worth is 31% cheaper. That's roughly $666/month back in your pocket ($7,992/year). Over five years that's $39,960 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Anaheim, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Fort Worth is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Fort Worth? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
20% higher
Anaheim's median income is 20% higher than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$79,507
Anaheim
Winner$95,227
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 20% higher in Anaheim (about $15,720 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Anaheim is the stronger labor market on paper. Fort Worth can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
6% lower crime
Fort Worth's crime index is 6% lower than Anaheim
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Anaheim
143 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 143 in Anaheim (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 6% lower in Fort Worth. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Fort Worth, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Anaheim. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fort Worth and Anaheim are about even on typical weather.
Fort Worth
66°F avg · 73°F highs · comfort 100/100
Anaheim
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fort Worth averages about 66°F (73°F highs); Anaheim averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 66°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Anaheim sits near 76°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. On daily comfort these two are close enough that the better fit is whichever season you already know you can live with.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Fort Worth is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 31% cheaper here at about $1,509 a month. Choose Fort Worth if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fort Worth is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 6% lower than Anaheim (135 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth
Anaheim is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 20% higher here ($95,227). Start with Anaheim if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Housing separates these metros first: $1,509/month in Fort Worth versus $2,175 in Anaheim. Median income reads $79,507 in Fort Worth and $95,227 in Anaheim, which matters when you stack rent against take-home pay.
Fort Worth rent at $1,509/month is still below Anaheim's $2,175, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 51/100 in Fort Worth and 49/100 in Anaheim.
Pick Fort Worth when shaving $666 off rent at $1,509/month is the priority. Otherwise, Anaheim's case rests on $2,175/month rent with $95,227 local income.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Fort Worth and Anaheim, plus other cities in TX and CA.
