Austin and Fort Worth are two of the most vibrant cities in Texas, each boasting a unique blend of southern charm and modern amenities. Austin, known as the "live music capital of the world," is popular for its lively arts scene and progressive vibe. Fort Worth, on the other hand, prides itself in its rich western heritage and rapid urban development. Their differences extend to aspects like crime rates, weather, cost of living, education, and economic prospects, among others.
Distance between
Austin, TX and
Fort Worth, TX : 170.2 miles
Austin's population is larger by 3%. Its population has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) since 2000. The population of Fort Worth has grown by 400,814 people (75.0%) during that time.
Both cities have crime rates higher than the national average, with Austin recording slightly less violent crimes. Austin's approach to safety includes innovative policing methods like community outreach programs. Fort Worth's crime rate varies between neighborhoods, with some areas like Downtown being considerably safe.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,411 registered sex offenders living in Austin and 3,166 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Austin is 672 to 1; the ratio in Fort Worth is 270 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a smaller in Austin than in Fort Worth.
Cost of Living
Living in Austin is generally more expensive than in Fort Worth. Housing, in particular, costs significantly more in Austin, followed by utilities and healthcare. Groceries and transportation costs are fairly even between the two.
Income Tax
There's no city or state income tax in Texas, benefiting both Fort Worth and Austin residents.
Property Tax
However, Texas does have relatively high property taxes. Austin's property taxes are marginally higher than those in Fort Worth, partly due to the higher property values.
Sales Tax
The state sales tax rate is the same for both cities at 6.25%. The total sales tax including local tax stands at 8.25% in both Fort Worth and Austin.
Income
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$68,235
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$34,106
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
95.4
If you make $50,000 in Fort Worth, you will have to make $50,524 in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin is located in the Hill Country, offering scenic beauty and outdoor activities. Fort Worth, in the North Central Plains, features flat landscapes and a handful of parks.
Austin has a reputation for quality education, being home to the renowned University of Texas. Fort Worth's education scene is bolstered by Texas Christian University and several excellent public schools.
Austin's economy is defined by tech, with a thriving job market rich in tech and creative professions. Fort Worth, thanks to its rapid development, offers a diverse economy with career opportunities in education, healthcare, and manufacturing.
Biggest Employers
For Austin, the largest employers include Dell, the University of Texas, and IBM. In Fort Worth, Lockheed Martin, the FWISD, and American Airlines provide numerous jobs.
There were 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011) compared to 7,236 building permits issued in Fort Worth in 2012 (4810 more than in 2011).
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Fort Worth (Tarrant County), 41.4% voted for Democrats and 57.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
2020
71.7%
49.3%
26.5%
49.1%
1.8%
1.6%
2016
65.8%
43.2%
27.2%
51.8%
7.0%
5.0%
2012
60.2%
41.4%
36.2%
57.1%
3.6%
1.4%
2008
63.8%
43.8%
34.4%
55.5%
1.8%
0.7%
2004
56.1%
37.0%
42.1%
62.5%
1.8%
0.5%
2000
41.7%
36.9%
47.0%
60.9%
11.3%
2.3%
1996
52.4%
41.6%
40.0%
50.9%
7.7%
7.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
11.1%
4.5%
1.9%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
17.3%
22.8%
33.3%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.3%
2.8%
0.8%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
2.2%
0.7%
0.9%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.3%
2.5%
0.9%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.5%
2.1%
0.9%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.4%
1.0%
1.6%
Weather
Austin and Fort Worth share the typical Texas climate of hot summers and mild winters. However, Austin experiences a slightly longer summer period due to its southern location, and is also more prone to droughts than Fort Worth.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
65°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
71.4%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
34.1%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
82.1%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
48%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
35 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
4.2 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
22.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
66.6%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
20%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
74%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
54%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
10.3 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Fort Worth, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
Austin
Fort Worth
2018
76
67
N/A
N/A
4.9
5.8
26.7
27.1
8.7
N/A
0.2
N/A
2017
76
67
N/A
N/A
4.6
6.2
29.7
27.2
8.3
N/A
0.3
N/A
2016
71
56
N/A
N/A
4.2
6.3
29.5
25.5
8.2
N/A
0.2
N/A
2015
78
61
N/A
N/A
4.4
6.5
28.9
24.8
8.6
N/A
0.3
N/A
2014
74
56
N/A
0.22
5.2
6.8
28.3
26.6
8.7
N/A
0.5
N/A
2013
78
64
0.09
0.25
5.5
6.4
29.5
26.5
8.6
N/A
0.5
N/A
2012
86
87
0.13
0.26
5.5
7.8
30.1
30.3
8.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
2011
83
79
0.11
0.23
2.6
7.9
33.0
30.7
9.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
2010
77
70
0.05
0.23
3.2
8.5
29.4
27.7
8.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
2009
76
81
0.05
0.25
2.6
8.7
29.7
29.5
9.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
2008
81
69
0.12
0.25
3.2
9.6
30.7
25.8
9.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
2007
82
75
0.12
0.30
3.1
10.6
27.1
24.6
9.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
2006
89
90
0.14
0.34
3.8
10.2
31.3
29.7
10.0
N/A
0.2
N/A
2005
92
102
0.15
0.34
4.4
10.9
29.0
28.4
10.7
11.3
0.2
0.9
2004
74
78
0.16
0.39
3.3
10.6
26.8
25.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2003
85
82
0.26
0.40
4.2
11.1
28.9
27.2
N/A
N/A
0.1
N/A
2002
83
94
0.33
0.37
3.9
11.8
27.2
25.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2001
83
16
0.31
0.48
4.2
N/A
25.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2000
86
17
0.28
0.55
4.7
N/A
27.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
249.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
562.8%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
23%
Transportation
Austin has more traffic congestion, but offers better public transit options including buses and light rail. Fort Worth is car-centric with less public transit options, but benefits from less traffic.
Transport
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
1
1
FAA registered aircraft
911
2
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
19
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Bicycle
0.8%
0.1%
Bus
1.5%
0.4%
Carpooled
7.9%
11%
Car alone
85.9%
85.8%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.1%
Walked
2%
1.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Average
29.9 min
28.5 min
Other means
22.7 min
25.3 min
Public transportation
37.9 min
41.8 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
91.2%
87.6%
In 2 person carpool
6.3%
8.5%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
2.5%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
1.1%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.3%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real estate in Austin is steeply priced due to its growing popularity, with a higher median house price than in Fort Worth. Fort Worth, on the other hand, offers more affordable prices with a consistent rise in property value.
Neighborhoods
Austin's neighborhoods like Downtown and Hyde Park offer a blend of nightlife and family-friendly environments. Fort Worth has a variety of neighborhoods, with Downtown and TCU-West Cliff noted for their livability.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Houses
469,156
361,341
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.8
Median year apartment built
1997
1991
Median year house/condo built
1988
1995
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.1 years
11.2 years
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
334,286 (92.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
185,197 (55.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
149,089 (44.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$1,068
Median monthly housing costs
$1,521
$1,328
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$288,576
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$249,000
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
5.3
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
4.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
6.3
Median house price - detached houses
$595,996
$279,885
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$393,984
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$262,826
$337,081
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$576,111
$298,062
Median house price - mobile homes
$56,102
$58,470
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$459,657
$279,957
Median house price - All housing units
$571,154
$279,281
Median house age
28
29
Renting percentage
54.9%
40.8%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
1,235.2
House value disparities
28.4%
31.8%
Household income disparities
44.8%
43.6%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$141,177
$106,170
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$86,430
$72,147
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
2,986 (2.4%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
3,696 (3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
121,099 (97.6%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
66 (0.1%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
5,171 (4.2%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
1.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
0.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Austin
Fort Worth
One, detached
43.1%
65.4%
One, attached
5.2%
2.9%
Two
2.4%
1.6%
3 or 4
4.1%
4.1%
5 to 9
7.2%
5.8%
10 to 19
11.0%
6.5%
20 to 49
8.9%
4.6%
50 or more
17.2%
7.0%
Mobile homes
1.0%
2.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
27,257
State government workers
46,229
8,587
Unpaid family workers
102
392
Industries and Occupations
Leaders in tech like Dell and IBM dominate Austin's job market. Fort Worth's top industries include manufacturing, healthcare, and retail services, with Lockheed Martin and American Airlines among the biggest employers.
Austin provides excellent healthcare, with top-rated facilities like the Seton Medical Center and St. David's Medical Center. Fort Worth's healthcare scene is also strong, with Texas Health Harris and JPS Health Network leading offerings.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin's infrastructure boasts a modern vibe with its extensive network of biking trails and stunning skyline. Fort Worth offers an interesting mix of colonial-style architecture alongside modern skyscrapers.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
Fort Worth
Hospitals
65
76
TV stations
20
25
Arenas or stadiums
2
7
Bank branches located here
264
175
Bank institutions located here
43
42
Main business address for public companies
44
24
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
46
3
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Austin
Fort Worth
1999
4,733
3,575
2000
2,950
2,473
2001
2,038
2,109
2002
1,772
1,701
2003
2,213
2,183
2004
2,458
3,202
2005
3,121
4,261
2006
3,367
4,161
2007
2,560
2,871
2008
1,747
1,256
2009
1,067
585
Culture and Food
Austin's rich culture is defined by its live music scene, vibrant nightlife, and diverse dining options. Fort Worth embraces a western heritage, complete with rodeos, cowboy cuisine, and art.
Sports Teams
Austin has less to offer in professional sports, with soccer team Austin FC being notable. Fort Worth shares the Dallas-Fort Worth area teams like Dallas Cowboys (NFL) and Texas Rangers (MLB).
Austin, TX
Fort Worth, TX
Austin, TX and 
Fort Worth, TX : 170.2 miles
