City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 157 in San Jose, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 161, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fort Worth is cheaper. Median rent is $1,509 a month versus $2,669 in San Jose.
The income gap between Fort Worth and San Jose is significant: $79,507 median household versus $146,427. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,509 in Fort Worth and $2,669 in San Jose.
This is a genuine split. Fort Worth wins on cost of living and safety and San Jose 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 San Jose are 1,422 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $2,669 a month in San Jose, up $1,160 a month (77%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $146,427 in San Jose, up $66,920 (84%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 157 in San Jose, up 22 points (16%).
The move
San Jose and Fort Worth are 1,422 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,669 a month in San Jose to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, down $1,160 a month (43%).
Median household income goes from $146,427 in San Jose to $79,507 in Fort Worth, down $66,920 (46%).
The crime index goes from 157 in San Jose to 135 in Fort Worth, down 22 points (14%).
Fort Worth, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
San Jose, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fort Worth and San Jose? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
43% cheaper
Fort Worth rent is 43% cheaper than San Jose
Fort Worth
Winner$1,509/mo
San Jose
$2,669/mo
Typical rent runs $1,509 a month in Fort Worth versus $2,669 in San Jose, so Fort Worth is 43% cheaper. That's roughly $1,160/month back in your pocket ($13,920/year). Over five years that's $69,600 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 San Jose, 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
84% higher
San Jose's median income is 84% higher than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$79,507
San Jose
Winner$146,427
Median household income is $146,427 in San Jose versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 84% higher in San Jose (about $66,920 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, San Jose 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
14% lower crime
Fort Worth's crime index is 14% lower than San Jose
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
San Jose
157 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 157 in San Jose (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 14% 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 San Jose. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fort Worth and San Jose are about even on typical weather.
Fort Worth
73°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
San Jose
68°F avg · 79°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fort Worth averages about 73°F (82°F highs); San Jose averages about 68°F (79°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. San Jose sits near 68°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 43% 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 14% lower than San Jose (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
San Jose is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 84% higher here ($146,427). Start with San Jose if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
San Jose runs $2,669/month while Fort Worth sits at $1,509 — roughly 43% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Jose-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Fort Worth rent at $1,509/month is still below San Jose's $2,669, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Safety scores read 51/100 in Fort Worth and 46/100 in San Jose.
Between Fort Worth and San Jose, Fort Worth is ahead on housing cost — $1,509/month rent against $2,669. Lean San Jose instead when your $146,427 income offer in San Jose outweighs saving $1,160/month in Fort Worth.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
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