While the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex is generally considered as a whole, it’s vital to recognize that Dallas and Fort Worth are two separate cities with distinct histories and advantages. Dallas is the United States’ ninth-largest city, but Fort Worth is on its heels as the 16th-largest city.

In the mid-nineteenth century, Fort Worth began as a cow town long before Dallas was founded. Today it has evolved into a bustling metropolis that offers diverse employment possibilities, cutting-edge museums, and a flourishing downtown area. It has maintained its unique culture as its nearby counterpart urbanized. For these reasons, US News and World Report ranked Fort Worth the second-best city to live in Texas.

There are plenty of reasons to live in Fort Worth instead of Dallas, but we think these ten reasons prove that Cowtown is the best place to be.

1. Fort Worth is more affordable than Dallas.

According to CNBC, Fort Worth’s cost of living is almost 9% lower than in Dallas. Your dollar will stretch further here, whether you’re renting or buying a home, and utilities and transportation costs are also more affordable.

In 2022, the consumer prices in Fort Worth, TX, were 6.07% lower than in Dallas, without factoring in rent. Overall restaurant prices were 23.00% lower, and grocery prices were 3.40% lower than in Dallas. Housing, food, and entertainment costs all tend to be lower in Cowtown than in Dallas.

2. Fort Worth is a great place to raise a family.

With great schools, plenty of green space, and a lower cost of living, Fort Worth is a great place to put down roots. Fort Worth was ranked the 13th best city for young families by NerdWallet and has four businesses ranked the best for working parents.

Fort Worth’s amenities include several family-friendly attractions, including the Fort Worth Zoo, the Kimbell Art Museum, and the Water Gardens. The Fort Worth Zoo is ranked as the no. 4 zoo in the nation and is home to over 500 animal species. Keep the kids busy at one of the recreation clubs spread out across the city, offering swimming, soccer, baseball, and more sports opportunities.

The Fort Worth Independent School District educates more than 84,000 students across 145 schools in Tarrant County. Tanglewood Elementary School, Harmony School of Innovation, and Marine Creek Collegiate High School are among the top public schools, providing multiple educational resources to their residents. There are also more than 60 private school choices for pupils, like Fort Worth Country Day School and Trinity Vale School. Another significant benefit to local education: Fort Worth has an outstanding 89% high school diploma rate.

The Carroll Independent School District, the Allen Independent School District, and the Aledo Independent School District are three of the area’s top schools. Each of these districts is within a 45-minute drive of Downtown Fort Worth and makes for excellent families who want their kids to get a great education.

For higher education, choices in Fort Worth include Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, and Tarrant County College.

Learn more about raising a family in Fort Worth.

3. You can experience true Texas culture in Fort Worth

Fort Worth is known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” and that unique blend of Western heritage and urban sophistication is evident throughout the city. From the world-renowned Fort Worth Stockyards to the innovative amenities downtown, there’s something for everyone in Cowtown.

In The Stockyards, you can watch a live cattle drive, ride a mechanical bull, or two-step the night away. Fort Worth is home to the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, which celebrates the courageous women of the American West.

Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk, is here. So are more than a dozen museums, including the Kimbell Art Museum, which has works by Picasso and Matisse, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, with its outstanding collection of Western art. The city also boasts Bass Performance Hall, one of the top live-music venues in the country.

4. Fort Worth has a smaller population, so it feels more like home.

Even though Fort Worth is one of the top 25 most populated cities in the United States, it has a genuine small-town atmosphere.

Dallas and Fort Worth are roughly the same sizes in terms of square miles—Dallas is about 400 square miles, whereas Fort Worth is around 350.

The difference lies in the number of people. Fort Worth has a population of over 918,000, while Dallas has more than 1.3 million residents based on 2020 Census numbers. The city of Fort Worth’s smaller population implies there’s more breathing room.

A gap of 400,000, may not seem like a big difference, but it can make a big impact on your quality of life.

Fort Worth’s smaller population and spread-out communities feel more laid-back and slower-paced than Dallas. There’s a greater sense of community, especially as you start looking at the individual neighborhoods. Many well-established communities are known for their active neighborhood associations and friendly neighbors.

5. Fort Worth is more convenient to get around.

Texas doesn’t have the best reputation for traffic, especially in the DFW metroplex, one of the nation’s worst. On the bright side, Fort Worth is more spread out than Dallas. That can work in your favor when it comes to convenience. You’re never more than a few minutes from where you need to be, and traffic isn’t as congested as in Dallas.

Another upside? One of the nation’s busiest airports, the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, is right in our backyard. You have easy access to domestic and international flights to get you where you want to be.

6. The people in Fort Worth are friendly and down-to-earth.

If you’re looking for friendly, down-to-earth people, you’ll find them in Fort Worth. Travel and Leisure ranked Fort Worth in its top 10 of the nation’s friendliest cities. Meanwhile, nearby Dallas was one of the rudest.

The city has a small-town feel, even though it’s a big city, and people are quick to strike up a conversation. You’ll also find that Fort Worthites are proud of their city and are more than happy to share their favorite things about it with newcomers.

7. Fort Worth has a great live music scene.

If you’re a fan of live music, you’ll feel right at home in Fort Worth. The city has a thriving live music scene, with something for everyone. From country to rock to blues and everything in between, you can find it all in Cowtown.

Top music venues include the Panther Island Pavilion, the Scat Jazz Lounge, and the Circle Theater. You can also catch live music at many of the bars and restaurants around town. At Billy Bob’s, attend a live concert and see music legends like Willie Nelson or Trace Adkins. Over 6,000 people can fit inside the venue.

The Fort Worth Opera is one of the oldest still-operating opera companies in Texas and the United States, has been internationally recognized for its creativity and cutting-edge performances. It has hosted numerous famous personalities, including Placido Domingo and Lily Pons, as well as a music festival in the spring with several operas staged each weekend from April to May at Bass Performance Hall.

8. Fort Worth is a great place to find a job.

It shouldn’t surprise that Fort Worth is recognized as a great city for job opportunities in the United States, with an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent in March 2022 and a growing working-age population.

Fort Worth was ranked as a top city for job seekers by Glassdoor, and it’s regularly ranked high on job-seeking lists on NerdWallet, Forbes, and WalletHub.

The Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex is home to a large concentration of Fortune 500 businesses, which ranks fourth in the United States. American Airlines has its headquarters in the DFW International Airport in Fort Worth. They have more than 25,000 workers in the metro area. Lockheed Martin is another top employer and talent attractor. The company is among the leading defense and aerospace companies in the world.

BNSF Railway, Bell Helicopter, Alcon, and GE Manufacturing Solutions are just a few of the leading firms based in Fort Worth.

The city’s low cost of living and diverse economy makes it a great place to start or further your career.

9. You can get away from it all in Fort Worth.

While Fort Worth is a great place to live, work, and play, it’s also a great place to get away from it all. The city is surrounded by beautiful countryside, and there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, and camping.

Stop and smell the flowers at Fort Worth Botanic Garden, a botanic garden with more than 2,500 distinct plant species. Hiking 20 miles of pathways at the 3,621-acre Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is another way to get out in nature. You can learn about animals at the Fort Worth Zoo while also getting involved with monkey business.

Alternatively, go for a relaxing swim in the magnificent Fort Worth Water Gardens designed by Phillip Johnson in Downtown Fort Worth. Paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes may be rented from Backwoods Paddlesports on Panther Island for exploration of the Trinity River. Slightly further afield, but still an easy commute, await Lake Worth and Eagle Mountain Lake.

Fort Worth is also home to several lakes, including Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth, where you can enjoy swimming, fishing, and boating.

10. There’s always something to do in Fort Worth.

No matter your interests, you’ll find something to do in Fort Worth. The city is home to countless museums, art galleries, live music venues, restaurants, shops, and more. It has the highest concentration of cultural attractions outside the Washington Mall in the Cultural District .

Sundance Square, a 35-block entertainment zone with local restaurants, shops, boutiques, and live music halls that everyone can enjoy at its heart, is one of the most popular districts in Texas. Sundance Square is an excellent illustration of how Fort Worth balances preserving its Texas roots while forging ahead into the future by combining historic brick with modernized buildings.

Head to West 7th Street for a fun night out. West 7th has rapidly become one of the most popular places to live in Fort Worth. This five-block zone is essentially a modern-day paradise with cutting-edge dining, local fashion shops, unusual entertainment options, open-air gardens, and more! With hundreds of eateries and bars to select from, West 7th Street has blended the traditions of Fort Worth with a modern spin.

For outdoor recreation, Fort Worth has an abundant selection of parks. The connecting Trinity Park and Trinity Trails have over 30 miles for pedestrian travel. Other parks to check out include Arcadia Trail and Burnett Park. Plus, there are many pocket parks in the local neighborhoods.

Fort Worth is a great place to live

Fort Worth is a great place to live for many reasons. It’s a convenient, affordable city with a low cost of living and a diverse economy. It’s also friendly, down-to-earth people, and there’s always something to do. Enjoy all the amenities of big city living without the cost and congestion of nearby Dallas.

Take it from us–if you’re looking for a place to call home, Cowtown is a perfect choice. As long-time residents of Fort Worth, put the Chicotsky Real Estate Group to work for you to find the right place to live in Fort Worth.