Chicago
Illinois
Pop. 2,721,914
VS
Fort Worth
Texas
Pop. 924,663

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

63
Overall Score /100
Wins 0 of 7 categories
65
Overall Score /100
Wins 1 of 7 categories
Fort Worth wins 1–0
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Fort Worth wins 0–1 overall (65/100)
💰 Fort Worth is more affordable
💼 Fort Worth has lower unemployment
🛡️ Chicago has fewer disasters

📋 Chicago vs Fort Worth — The Verdict

Fort Worth scores 65.2/100 compared to Chicago's 63/100, winning 1 out of 7 data categories. On affordability, Fort Worth has a clear edge with home prices 18% lower. Fort Worth may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Fort Worth are 18% lower — a difference of $54,200 in median home value.
🛡️
Chicago has experienced 4 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Chicago vs Fort Worth: Cost of Living Comparison
65
vs
65
Median Home Value
$304,500
$250,300
Median Rent /mo
$1,314
$1,313
Median Income
$71,673
$72,726
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
Fort Worth edges out Chicago on housing costs by 18%, a difference of $54,200. Factor in rent and utilities to get the complete affordability picture.
💼 Chicago vs Fort Worth: Job Market & Salaries
55
vs
55
Unemployment Rate
4.6%
4.3%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Chicago vs Fort Worth: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Chicago vs Fort Worth: Air Quality & Environment
70
vs
85
Air Quality (AQI)
60
0
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Chicago vs Fort Worth: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Chicago vs Fort Worth: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
10
14
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Low
Moderate
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Chicago to Fort Worth: Common Questions

Is Chicago or Fort Worth cheaper to live in?
Fort Worth is more affordable overall. Home prices are $54,200 lower in Fort Worth. Monthly rent is $1,313 in Fort Worth vs $1,314 in Chicago.
Does Chicago or Fort Worth have better weather?
Fort Worth scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Chicago or Fort Worth better for finding a job?
Fort Worth currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.6% in Chicago vs 4.3% in Fort Worth. Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $72,726 in Fort Worth.
Which city is safer — Chicago or Fort Worth?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Chicago is safer. Chicago has had 10 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 14 in Fort Worth. Chicago scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Fort Worth.
Should I move from Chicago to Fort Worth?
Based on our data, Fort Worth scores 65.2/100 vs Chicago's 63.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Fort Worth is more affordable, while Fort Worth has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.