City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 158 in Riverside, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 163, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fort Worth is cheaper. Median rent is $1,509 a month versus $1,914 in Riverside.
The cost gap between Fort Worth and Riverside is the real story here. Fort Worth comes in 21% cheaper on typical rent ($1,509 vs $1,914), which over a year adds up to $4,860. Median household income runs $79,507 in Fort Worth and $91,045 in Riverside.
This is a genuine split. Fort Worth wins on cost of living and safety and Riverside 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 Riverside are 1,160 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $1,914 a month in Riverside, up $405 a month (27%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $91,045 in Riverside, up $11,538 (15%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 158 in Riverside, up 23 points (17%).
The move
Riverside and Fort Worth are 1,160 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,914 a month in Riverside to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, down $405 a month (21%).
Median household income goes from $91,045 in Riverside to $79,507 in Fort Worth, down $11,538 (13%).
The crime index goes from 158 in Riverside to 135 in Fort Worth, down 23 points (15%).
Fort Worth, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Riverside, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fort Worth and Riverside? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
21% cheaper
Fort Worth rent is 21% cheaper than Riverside
Fort Worth
Winner$1,509/mo
Riverside
$1,914/mo
Typical rent runs $1,509 a month in Fort Worth versus $1,914 in Riverside, so Fort Worth is 21% cheaper. That's roughly $405/month back in your pocket ($4,860/year). Over five years that's $24,300 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 Riverside, 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
15% higher
Riverside's median income is 15% higher than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$79,507
Riverside
Winner$91,045
Median household income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 15% higher in Riverside (about $11,538 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, Riverside 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
15% lower crime
Fort Worth's crime index is 15% lower than Riverside
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Riverside
158 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 158 in Riverside (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 15% 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 Riverside. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fort Worth and Riverside are about even on typical weather.
Fort Worth
72°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Riverside
78°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fort Worth averages about 72°F (79°F highs); Riverside averages about 78°F (86°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 72°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Riverside sits near 78°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 21% 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 15% lower than Riverside (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
Riverside is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 15% higher here ($91,045). Start with Riverside if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Rent is the clearest fork: Fort Worth at $1,509/month versus $1,914 in Riverside ($405 apart). Riverside median income is $91,045 against $79,507 in Fort Worth, so the cheaper lease does not always pair with the stronger local wage base.
Fort Worth rent at $1,509/month is still below Riverside's $1,914, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Median income is $91,045 in Riverside versus $79,507 in Fort Worth.
Fort Worth clears the bar on housing cost in this dataset. Riverside deserves a serious look only when your $91,045 income offer in Riverside outweighs saving $405/month in Fort Worth.
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Nearby research
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