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City comparison

Fort Worth, TX vs Oklahoma City, OK

The cost gap between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City is the real story here. Oklahoma City comes in 28% cheaper on typical rent ($1,723 vs $1,244), which over a year adds up to $5,748. Median household income runs $72,726 in Fort Worth and $64,251 in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Fort Worth makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Oklahoma City is the stronger move.

The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Oklahoma City at $1,244 average has pockets that run $1,044 and others at $1,644: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.

Full Fort Worth reportFull Oklahoma City report

Fort Worth, TX

Rent
1,723/mo
Median income
72,726
Crime index
133
Schools
A-
Weather
94°F

Oklahoma City, OK

Rent
1,244/mo
Median income
64,251
Crime index
130
Schools
A-
Weather
92°F

Rent

28% cheaper

Oklahoma City rent is 28% cheaper than Fort Worth

Fort Worth

$1,723/mo

Oklahoma City

Winner

$1,244/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,244 a month in Oklahoma City versus $1,723 in Fort Worth, so Oklahoma City is 28% cheaper. That's roughly $479/month back in your pocket ($5,748/year). Over five years that's $28,740 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 Fort Worth, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Oklahoma City is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Planning to buy in Oklahoma City? Check mortgage rates before you decide.

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Median income

13% higher

Fort Worth's median income is 13% higher than Oklahoma City

Fort Worth

Winner

$72,726

Oklahoma City

$64,251

What this means for your life

Median household income is $72,726 in Fort Worth versus $64,251 in Oklahoma City, so typical pay runs 13% higher in Fort Worth (about $8,475 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, Fort Worth is the stronger labor market on paper. Oklahoma City can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

2% lower crime

Oklahoma City's crime index is 2% lower than Fort Worth

Fort Worth

133 (100 = avg)

Oklahoma City

Winner

130 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Oklahoma City's crime index is 130 versus 133 in Fort Worth (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 2% lower in Oklahoma City. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Oklahoma City, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in Fort Worth. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.

School scores

Neck and neck

Fort Worth and Oklahoma City are about even on school scores.

Fort Worth

A- · 84/100

Oklahoma City

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Fort Worth, A- in Oklahoma City). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better. At this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

16% more comfortable

Oklahoma City weather is 16% more comfortable than Fort Worth

Fort Worth

94°F avg · 104°F highs · comfort 31/100

Oklahoma City

Winner

92°F avg · 105°F highs · comfort 36/100

What this means for your life

Fort Worth averages about 94°F (104°F highs); Oklahoma City averages about 92°F (105°F highs). Fort Worth often hits 104°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Oklahoma City often hits 105°F highs, so expect heavy AC use and limited outdoor time in summer. Oklahoma City scores 16% 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

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Fort Worth is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 13% higher here ($72,726). Start with Fort Worth if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

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Fit check

Who should choose Oklahoma City

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Oklahoma City is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 28% cheaper here at about $1,244 a month. Choose Oklahoma City if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Oklahoma City if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (92°F) beat Fort Worth on this page's weather index by 16%. Fort Worth may pay more or cost less, but Oklahoma City is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Oklahoma City is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 2% lower than Fort Worth (130 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.

Open the Oklahoma City report →

Bottom line

Fort Worth vs Oklahoma City: Our Take

Oklahoma City wins overall on this comparison, taking 3 of the 5 categories against 1 for Fort Worth.

Oklahoma City's typical rent runs 28% lower than Fort Worth ($1,244/month vs $1,723/month), which is real money over a lease.

The main trade-off: Fort Worth's median household income is 13% higher ($72,726 vs $64,251), which can offset housing cost for higher earners.

The decision comes down to whether you value cost of living more than the job market. For most middle-income movers, Oklahoma City is the stronger choice.

Common questions

Fort Worth vs Oklahoma City FAQ

Is Fort Worth cheaper than Oklahoma City?
No. Oklahoma City is cheaper: typical rent is $1,244 a month versus $1,723 in Fort Worth (28% lower). Median household income is $72,726 in Fort Worth compared with $64,251 in Oklahoma City, so Fort Worth has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Fort Worth or Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 130 versus 133 in Fort Worth (2% 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 Oklahoma City?
School composites are close: A- in Fort Worth and A- in Oklahoma City. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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