We always think Fort Worth is the best, so we were scratching our heads when U.S. News and World Report ranked Cowtown No. 212 on its “Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2025-2026" list. The study assessed many factors; to better understand the ranking, we looked at the areas where Fort Worth excelled, and where there’s room for improvement.
Fort Worth’s high marks
If you think No. 212 seems low, the study ranked 850+ cities, meaning Fort Worth is in the top 25%, and there are many categories where Funky Town ranked even higher.
One of Fort Worth’s best metrics was its cost of living. The city’s median housing cost was $297,803 — which is $70,000+ below the national average. Rent is also below the national average, with the median rent being $1,199 per month.
Fort Worth’s job market is also slightly better than the national average, with an unemployment rate that’s 0.01% lower than the rest of the nation. While a typical Fort Worthian earns about $2,000 less than the US average, the city’s lower cost of living helps balance that difference.
And you can’t forget about the weather. While this is largely a matter of personal preference, Cowtown is generally praised for its moderate winters — but they lead to scorching hot summers.
Areas for improvement
If you want to get around town, be prepared to drive. Fort Worth commuters spend an average of 23.32 minutes in the car, which is higher than the national average. Locals are also less likely to walk, bike, or use public transit than people in other parts of the nation.
Cowtown also may not have love in the air; only 44.1% of its citizens are married. However, this is about on par with the national average, so your quest for romance isn’t hopeless.
The bigger picture
Like all cities, Fort Worth has its ups and downs — but it really stands out compared to other big cities. Cowtown placed No. 4 on the publication’s ranking of the top 25 large cities in the US.
U.S. News and World Report also recognized other cities in the DFW area with high scores on its overall list. Some standouts include:
- No. 27 — Mansfield
- No. 30 — Frisco
- No. 37 — Mckinney
- No. 64 — North Richland Hills
- No. 439 — Dallas (No. 13 big city)
