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City comparison

Fort Worth, TX vs Denver, CO

Safety is where Fort Worth and Denver split most clearly. Fort Worth scores 135 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,509 in Fort Worth and $1,831 in Denver.

Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Fort Worth costs less and Denver pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.

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.

Full Fort Worth reportFull Denver report

Fort Worth, TX

Rent
$1,509/mo
Median income
79,507
Crime index
133
Weather
78°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Denver, CO

Rent
$1,831/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,169/mo
Median income
94,718
Crime index
268
Weather
68°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

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Rent

18% cheaper

Fort Worth rent is 18% cheaper than Denver

Fort Worth

Winner

$1,509/mo

Denver

$1,831/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,509 a month in Fort Worth versus $1,831 in Denver, so Fort Worth is 18% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,864, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Fort Worth still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Denver.

Planning to buy in Fort Worth? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

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Median income

19% higher

Denver's median income is 19% higher than Fort Worth

Fort Worth

$79,507

Denver

Winner

$94,718

What this means for your life

Median household income is $94,718 in Denver versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 19% higher in Denver (about $15,211 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, Denver 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

50% lower crime

Fort Worth's crime index is 50% lower than Denver

Fort Worth

Winner

133 (100 = avg)

Denver

268 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Fort Worth's crime index is 133 versus 268 in Denver (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 50% lower in Fort Worth. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Fort Worth is the easier city. Denver can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

15% more comfortable

Denver weather is 15% more comfortable than Fort Worth

Fort Worth

78°F avg · 84°F highs · comfort 87/100

Denver

Winner

68°F avg · 77°F highs · comfort 100/100

What this means for your life

Fort Worth averages about 78°F (84°F highs); Denver averages about 68°F (77°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 78°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Denver sits near 68°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Denver scores 15% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Fort Worth if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Fort Worth

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 18% 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 50% lower than Denver (133 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.

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Fit check

Who should choose Denver

Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access

It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 19% higher ($94,718), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 68°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.

Open the Denver report →

Bottom line

Fort Worth vs Denver: Our Take

Safety is the widest gap: Fort Worth scores 51/100 versus 30/100 in Denver. Rent is $1,509/month in Fort Worth and $1,831/month in Denver, so you are not buying calm streets for free.

Denver still pays more locally ($94,718 median income vs $79,507), which can offset the lease if your field pays Denver rates.

Median income is $94,718 in Denver versus $79,507 in Fort Worth.

Fort Worth is ahead on safety (51/100 vs 30/100); Denver is still viable when you have a vetted ZIP there and $1,831/month rent plus $94,718 income fit your budget better than the safety margin.

Common questions

Fort Worth vs Denver FAQ

Is Fort Worth cheaper than Denver?
Yes. Typical rent in Fort Worth is $1,509 a month versus $1,831 in Denver (18% cheaper). Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth compared with $94,718 in Denver, so Denver has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Fort Worth or Denver?
Fort Worth is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 133 versus 268 in Denver (50% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Fort Worth or Denver?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Fort Worth. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Denver. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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