Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fort Worth, TX
VS
Fullerton, CA
🏆 Fullerton leads 12 of 23 categories
Fort Worth
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$72,726
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High
Population
924,663 ✓ Larger
Fullerton
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$99,279 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
142,280
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fort Worth, TX
Pros
Homes cost $541k less ($250,300 vs $791,000)
Rent averages $676/mo less ($1,313 vs $1,989)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.3%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Fullerton
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Fullerton by $26,553/yr
Violent crime (458.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2699.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Fullerton, CA
Pros
Households earn $26,553 more per year on average
More college-educated — 44.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 84°F vs 97°F
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 59°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $791,000
Higher rents — median is $1,989/mo
Violent crime (455.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fort Worth
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 103.3 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Fort Worth
Median Home Value
$541k less
$250,300 vs $791,000
Fort Worth
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.3% vs 6.9% unemployment
Fort Worth
Summer Heat
12.2°F warmer
July avg high 96.6°F vs 84.4°F
Fullerton
Median Income
$26,553
$99,279 vs $72,726/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Fullerton, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 115.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $250,300 ✓ Lower | $791,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,313 ✓ Lower | $1,989⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $72,726 | $99,279 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.0 min ✓ Shorter | 30.0 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.9% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 124⚠ High | 110⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (98) ✓ Better | B- (93) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 25.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.2% | 44.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.1% | 89.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | FORT WORTH ISD | Fullerton Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.8°F | 68.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 96.6°F ✓ Warmer | 84.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 35.3" | 11.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.0" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 924,663 ✓ Larger | 142,280 |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 35.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.7% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 26.8% ✓ More | 22.4% |
| Over 65 | 10.1% | 13.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Worth's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Fullerton's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Fort Worth is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fullerton leads 12 of 23 categories. Fort Worth wins 11 and Fullerton wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Fort Worth to Fullerton or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($250,300 vs $791,000 median home), income ($72,726 vs $99,279), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fort Worth, TX and Fullerton, CA are about 1,188 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.