City comparison
Yes. Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 121 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Fort Worth is cheaper. Median rent is $1,509 a month versus $1,954 in Washington.
Safety is where Fort Worth and Washington split most clearly. Fort Worth scores 88 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,509 in Fort Worth and $1,954 in Washington.
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. Washington 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.
The move
Fort Worth and Washington are 1,211 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,509 a month in Fort Worth to $1,954 a month in Washington, up $445 a month (29%).
Median household income goes from $79,507 in Fort Worth to $109,870 in Washington, up $30,363 (38%).
The crime index goes from 135 in Fort Worth to 223 in Washington, up 88 points (65%).
The move
Washington and Fort Worth are 1,211 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $1,509 a month in Fort Worth, down $445 a month (23%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $79,507 in Fort Worth, down $30,363 (28%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 135 in Fort Worth, down 88 points (39%).
Fort Worth, TX
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Washington, DC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Fort Worth and Washington? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
23% cheaper
Fort Worth rent is 23% cheaper than Washington
Fort Worth
Winner$1,509/mo
Washington
$1,954/mo
Typical rent runs $1,509 a month in Fort Worth versus $1,954 in Washington, so Fort Worth is 23% cheaper. That's roughly $445/month back in your pocket ($5,340/year). Over five years that's $26,700 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 Washington, 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
38% higher
Washington's median income is 38% higher than Fort Worth
Fort Worth
$79,507
Washington
Winner$109,870
Median household income is $109,870 in Washington versus $79,507 in Fort Worth, so typical pay runs 38% higher in Washington (about $30,363 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, Washington 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
39% lower crime
Fort Worth's crime index is 39% lower than Washington
Fort Worth
Winner135 (100 = avg)
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Fort Worth's crime index is 135 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 39% 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. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
16% more comfortable
Fort Worth weather is 16% more comfortable than Washington
Fort Worth
Winner73°F avg · 82°F highs · comfort 100/100
Washington
60°F avg · 68°F highs · comfort 86/100
Fort Worth averages about 73°F (82°F highs); Washington averages about 60°F (68°F highs). Fort Worth sits near 73°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Washington averages around 60°F. Fort Worth 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 Washington if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
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 23% 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 (73°F) beat Washington on this page's weather index by 16%. Washington 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 39% lower than Washington (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
Washington is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 38% higher here ($109,870). Start with Washington if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Fort Worth: Fort Worth scores 51/100 versus 36/100 in Washington, with typical rent at $1,509 versus $1,954. I would vet the exact ZIP in Washington before trading 15 safety points for housing savings.
Fort Worth rent at $1,509/month is still below Washington's $1,954, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Typical rent stays $1,509 in Fort Worth and $1,954 in Washington.
Fort Worth clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Washington deserves a serious look only when you already know the Washington block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
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Nearby research
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