Quick answer: A typical Fort Worth home sells for about $330,000 in 2026. Plan on $16,500 to $26,400 in cash upfront with 3% down. Expect a monthly payment near $2,600 before insurance and PMI at today’s rates.
Fort Worth now has more than 1 million residents, and the city ranks among the largest in the U.S. It keeps growing because homes here still cost less than in many big metros.
Are you thinking of buying a home in Fort Worth? It’s a great place to live, with plenty of things to do and lots of friendly people. It also sits close to Dallas, DFW Airport, and major interstates to Austin and Oklahoma.
But before you start touring houses, get familiar with the full cost to buy a home in Fort Worth. This guide covers the home price, cash to close, monthly payment, property taxes, and the costs most buyers forget.
Is Fort Worth, Texas a Good Place to Buy a Home?
Texas’s state motto is “Friendship,” and Fort Worth lives up to it. Residents also pay no state income tax, which frees up more of each paycheck for a mortgage.
Right now, the market favors buyers more than it has in years. Zillow reports the typical Fort Worth home value fell 1.8% year over year as of August 2026. Realtor.com shows listings spend an average of 59 days on the market.
That means you can often negotiate on price, repairs, or seller-paid closing costs. If competition heats up again, read our guide on how to buy in a seller’s market.
The tradeoff is borrowing costs. Mortgage rates rose three weeks in a row this September. Lower prices help, but your rate still drives most of your monthly payment.
What Is the Average Size of a Home in Fort Worth?
Before we get into prices, let’s talk about home sizes in the DFW area. Both Fort Worth and Dallas rank high nationally for home and lot size.
A 2021 study found DFW lots average 7,096 square feet. Homes on those lots averaged about 2,593 square feet. That was larger than the national average of 2,467 square feet at the time.
Note that these numbers combine Dallas and Fort Worth, so they don’t isolate Fort Worth alone. Size also varies by location, home age, and construction type. Downtown condos run much smaller than homes in suburban subdivisions.
What are some of the best cities near Fort Worth for families? Keller and Southlake offer bigger suburban lots and their own school districts.
Inside the city, Arlington Heights and Wedgwood are popular Fort Worth neighborhoods. Young buyers can also compare the best Fort Worth neighborhoods for young professionals.
The Average Cost to Buy a Home in Fort Worth in 2026
Sources measure home prices in different ways, so the numbers vary. Here is what the major data providers report for Fort Worth:
| Source | Measure | Price |
| Redfin | Median sale price, last 3 months | $332,000 |
| Homes.com | Median sale price | $329,900 |
| Realtor.com | Median listing price | $345,000 |
| Zillow | Typical home value (August 2026) | $295,800 |
Sale prices matter most for your budget. Use $330,000 as a realistic starting point for a typical Fort Worth home. Redfin reports that median fell 2.1% over the past year.
Single-family homes cost more than townhomes. Homes.com puts the single-family median at $350,000 and townhomes at $320,000.
How Much Cash Do You Need to Buy a Home in Fort Worth?
Your upfront cash covers two things: the down payment and closing costs. Most first-time buyers underestimate the second one.
Down Payment
Your loan type sets the minimum down payment. On a $330,000 home:
- Conventional loan, 3% down: $9,900
- FHA loan, 3.5% down: $11,550
- Conventional loan, 20% down: $66,000, with no private mortgage insurance (PMI)
VA loans allow 0% down for eligible veterans and service members.
Closing Costs in Fort Worth
Texas buyers typically pay 2% to 5% of the price in closing costs, according to Herring Bank. On a $330,000 home, that’s $6,600 to $16,500.
Closing costs include:
- Lender origination and underwriting fees
- Appraisal and credit report fees
- A property survey, which most Texas lenders require
- The lender’s title insurance policy
- County recording fees in Tarrant County
- Prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance for your escrow account
Texas-Specific Buying Costs
Texas does things differently from many states. These rules can save you money:
- Title insurance rates are set by the state. The Texas Department of Insurance cut basic title premiums by 6.2%, effective March 1, 2026. Every title company charges the same premium.
- Sellers often pay the owner’s title policy. It’s local custom, not law, so write it into your offer.
- Texas has no real estate transfer tax. You won’t pay a state fee just to record the sale.
- You pay an option fee. This small fee buys a short window to back out for any reason. It often runs $100 to $500.
- You deposit earnest money. Expect about 1% to 2% of the price. It goes toward your down payment at closing.
Add it up, and a 3% down buyer should budget $16,500 to $26,400 in cash to close on a $330,000 home. Ask the seller to cover part of your closing costs. In a slower market, many sellers agree.
What Is the Monthly Mortgage Payment on a Fort Worth Home?
Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate at 6.95% on September 17, 2026. That’s up from 6.26% a year earlier.
Here’s an example for a $330,000 home with 3% down:
| Cost | Monthly Amount |
| Principal and interest ($320,100 at 6.95%) | $2,119 |
| Property taxes (with homestead exemption) | $487 |
| Subtotal | $2,606 |
| Homeowners insurance | Get quotes |
| PMI (under 20% down) | Ask your lender |
Rates move weekly, so treat this as a starting estimate. At last year’s 6.26% rate, the same loan would cost about $146 less per month.
How Much Income Do You Need to Buy a Home in Fort Worth?
Many lenders prefer your housing payment to stay under 28% of gross monthly income. At $2,606 a month, you’d need roughly $112,000 a year. That’s before insurance and PMI.
A larger down payment, a lower price, or a rate buydown can lower that number. Your lender will also review your other debts.
What to Know About Property Taxes in Fort Worth and Tarrant County
Texas doesn’t collect a state property tax. The Texas Comptroller doesn’t set tax rates either. Instead, local taxing units do.
A Fort Worth home inside Fort Worth ISD pays five main taxing units. Here are the 2026 rates per $100 of value:
- Fort Worth ISD: $1.0291
- City of Fort Worth: $0.70565
- Tarrant County: $0.1860
- JPS Health Network: $0.1650 (2025 rate)
- Tarrant County College: $0.1200
That adds up to about $2.21 per $100, or 2.21% of taxable value. Small special districts, such as the Tarrant Regional Water District, add a little more.
On a $330,000 home, that’s about $7,280 a year before exemptions. The homestead exemption brings it down to roughly $5,840.
Rates vary by address. A home in Keller ISD or Arlington pays a different city and school rate than one inside Fort Worth. Check your exact address with the Tarrant Appraisal District before you make an offer.
File for Your Texas Homestead Exemption
Texas voters approved a larger school tax homestead exemption in November 2025. It now removes $140,000 from your home’s taxable value for school taxes.
In Fort Worth ISD, that saves about $1,440 a year. The exemption only applies to your primary home.
You must apply for it. File with the Tarrant Appraisal District after you move in. Homeowners age 65 and older, and those with disabilities, qualify for extra exemptions.
Down Payment Assistance Programs in Fort Worth
Several programs help Fort Worth buyers cover the cash to close:
- City of Fort Worth Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP): Up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs. The home must sit inside Fort Worth city limits.
- Tarrant County Homebuyer Assistance Program: Up to $50,000 for homes in Tarrant County outside Fort Worth, Arlington, and Grand Prairie.
- State programs: The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation offers down payment help across Texas.
HAP requires a household income below 80% of area median income. That was $85,350 for a family of four as of June 2025. You must be a first-time buyer, meaning no home ownership in the past three years.
You’ll also complete eight hours of homebuyer education and use a city-approved lender. Check the current price cap before you shop, since the city updates it.
Other Associated Costs of Buying a Home in Fort Worth
Beyond the purchase, plan for the everyday costs of living in Texas. These include transportation, utilities, groceries, and sales tax.
These all shape your total budget for the move and your new life in the DFW Metroplex.
Transportation Costs in Fort Worth
Most Fort Worth residents drive, so budget for gas, insurance, and tolls. Public transit works best near downtown.
Trinity Metro runs TEXRail from downtown Fort Worth to DFW Airport. The Trinity Railway Express (TRE) connects Fort Worth to downtown Dallas. If you commute from Dallas, see our guide to moving from Dallas to Fort Worth.
The Cost of Utilities in Fort Worth
Texas electricity costs less than the national average. Federal data shows Texas homes paid 15.94 cents per kWh in June 2026.
That’s about 13% below the national average of 18.34 cents.
At 1,000 kWh a month, a Texas household pays about $159. Summer AC use pushes that higher.
Most Fort Worth homes sit in a deregulated market. That means you pick your own electricity provider. Compare plans on Power to Choose, the state’s official shopping site.
Water, trash, and stormwater fees come from the city. Fort Worth’s new budget raises these by about $7 a month for a typical resident.
Sales Tax, Groceries, and Dining Out in Fort Worth
Fort Worth charges an 8.25% combined sales tax. That includes the 6.25% state rate, 1% for the city, and 0.5% each for transit and crime control.
Texas doesn’t tax most unprepared groceries. Restaurant meals and household goods do carry sales tax, so factor that into your monthly budget.
Don’t Forget About Moving Costs
When you budget for your Fort Worth home, add the cost of moving everything there. Our guide to the true costs of moving breaks down what to expect.
Olde World Movers has handled Texas moves for more than 30 years. We’re licensed with the Texas DMV (No. 006273576C).
We’re also registered with the federal DOT (No. 1844729).
We can help at every stage:
- A local residential move within Fort Worth or across DFW
- A long-distance move to Fort Worth from anywhere in Texas or out of state
- Full-service packing services in Fort Worth
- Climate-controlled storage in Euless if your closing date and move-out date don’t line up
Closing dates often shift, so book your movers as soon as you have a contract. To learn about our Fort Worth moving services and get a free quote, call (817) 767-1725. You can also request a free estimate online or email us with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying a Home in Fort Worth
How much are closing costs on a $300,000 house in Fort Worth?
Buyers typically pay 2% to 5% of the price. On a $300,000 home, that’s $6,000 to $15,000. Your loan type, lender fees, and prepaid taxes decide where you land.
Is now a good time to buy a house in Fort Worth?
Prices dipped about 2% over the past year, and homes sit longer on the market. That gives buyers more room to negotiate. Rates rose in September 2026, so compare lenders before you lock.
What is the property tax rate in Fort Worth?
A home inside Fort Worth city limits and Fort Worth ISD pays about 2.21% of taxable value in 2026. The homestead exemption lowers your school taxes.
How much do I need to make to afford a $300,000 house in Texas?
With 3% down at 6.95%, principal, interest, and Fort Worth taxes run about $2,360 a month. Under the 28% guideline, you’d need about $101,000 a year. Insurance and PMI raise that number.
