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City comparison

Fort Worth, TX vs Seattle, WA

The income gap between Fort Worth and Seattle is significant: $79,507 median household versus $123,860. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,509 in Fort Worth and $2,030 in Seattle.

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

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 Seattle 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.

Seattle, WA

Rent
$2,030/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,549/mo
Median income
123,860
Crime index
235
Weather
58°F

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

Comparing Fort Worth and Seattle? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.

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Rent

26% cheaper

Fort Worth rent is 26% cheaper than Seattle

Fort Worth

Winner

$1,509/mo

Seattle

$2,030/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,509 a month in Fort Worth versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Fort Worth is 26% cheaper. That's roughly $521/month back in your pocket ($6,252/year). Over five years that's $31,260 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 Seattle, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Fort Worth is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

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Median income

56% higher

Seattle's median income is 56% higher than Fort Worth

Fort Worth

$79,507

Seattle

Winner

$123,860

What this means for your life

Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 56% higher in Seattle (about $44,353 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, Seattle 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

43% lower crime

Fort Worth's crime index is 43% lower than Seattle

Fort Worth

Winner

133 (100 = avg)

Seattle

235 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Fort Worth's crime index is 133 versus 235 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 43% 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. Seattle can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

9% more comfortable

Fort Worth weather is 9% more comfortable than Seattle

Fort Worth

Winner

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

Seattle

58°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 80/100

What this means for your life

Fort Worth averages about 78°F (84°F highs); Seattle averages about 58°F (66°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 78°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Seattle averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Fort Worth scores 9% 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 Seattle 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

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

Fort Worth is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 26% 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.

Pick Fort Worth if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (78°F) beat Seattle on this page's weather index by 9%. Seattle may pay more or cost less, but Fort Worth is the city where the forecast fights you less.

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 43% lower than Seattle (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 Seattle

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Seattle is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 56% higher here ($123,860). Start with Seattle if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

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Bottom line

Fort Worth vs Seattle: Our Take

Safety is the widest gap: Fort Worth scores 51/100 versus 34/100 in Seattle. Rent is $1,509/month in Fort Worth and $2,030/month in Seattle, so you are not buying calm streets for free.

Fort Worth rent at $1,509/month is still below Seattle's $2,030, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.

Typical rent stays $1,509 in Fort Worth and $2,030 in Seattle.

Most movers who prioritize safety land in Fort Worth; Seattle only makes sense when you have walked the Seattle ZIP you would rent and accept the trade for $2,030 rent.

Common questions

Fort Worth vs Seattle FAQ

Is Fort Worth cheaper than Seattle?
Yes. Typical rent in Fort Worth is $1,509 a month versus $2,030 in Seattle (26% cheaper). Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth compared with $123,860 in Seattle, so Seattle has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Fort Worth or Seattle?
Fort Worth is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 133 versus 235 in Seattle (43% 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 Seattle?
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 Seattle. 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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