City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 156 in Tucson, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 146, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Tucson is cheaper. Median rent is $1,145 a month versus $1,509 in Fort Worth.
The income gap between Fort Worth and Tucson is significant: $79,507 median household versus $57,073. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,509 in Fort Worth and $1,145 in Tucson.
This is a genuine split. Fort Worth wins on the job market and safety and Tucson wins on cost of living. 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. Tucson at $1,145 average has pockets that run $945 and others at $1,545: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Fort Worth and Tucson are 793 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $1,145 a month in Tucson, down $364 a month (24%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $57,073 in Tucson, down $22,434 (28%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 156 in Tucson, up 21 points (16%).
The move
Tucson and Fort Worth are 793 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,145 a month in Tucson to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, up $364 a month (32%).
Median household income goes from $57,073 in Tucson to $79,507 in Fort Worth, up $22,434 (39%).
The crime index goes from 156 in Tucson to 135 in Fort Worth, down 21 points (13%).
Fort Worth, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Tucson, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fort Worth and Tucson? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
24% cheaper
Tucson rent is 24% cheaper than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$1,509/mo
Tucson
Winner$1,145/mo
Typical rent runs $1,145 a month in Tucson versus $1,509 in Fort Worth, so Tucson is 24% cheaper. That's roughly $364/month back in your pocket ($4,368/year). Over five years that's $21,840 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, Tucson 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
39% higher
Fort Worth's median income is 39% higher than Tucson
Fort Worth
Winner$79,507
Tucson
$57,073
Median household income is $79,507 in Fort Worth versus $57,073 in Tucson, so typical pay runs 39% higher in Fort Worth (about $22,434 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. Tucson can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
13% lower crime
Fort Worth's crime index is 13% lower than Tucson
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Tucson
156 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 156 in Tucson (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 13% 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 Tucson. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
Neck and neck
Fort Worth and Tucson are about even on typical weather.
Fort Worth
73°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Tucson
76°F avg · 83°F highs · comfort 100/100
Fort Worth averages about 73°F (82°F highs); Tucson averages about 76°F (83°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Tucson sits near 76°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
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 39% higher here ($79,507). Start with Fort Worth if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
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 13% lower than Tucson (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
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Tucson
Tucson is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 24% cheaper here at about $1,145 a month. Choose Tucson if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Bottom line
This pair is really a paycheck comparison: Fort Worth at $79,507 median income versus $57,073 in Tucson. Housing ($1,145 in Tucson, $1,509 in Fort Worth) is secondary unless you are rent-burdened already.
Fort Worth still pays more locally ($79,507 median income vs $57,073), which can offset the lease if your field pays Fort Worth rates.
Safety scores read 51/100 in Fort Worth and 46/100 in Tucson.
Fort Worth clears the bar on local pay in this dataset. Tucson deserves a serious look only when keeping rent near $1,145/month beats chasing $79,507 median income.
Common questions
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