Cost of Living in Forest Hill, TX

Population 13,923 · Texas · Data vintage 2023

80
Cost Index
(100 = US avg)
Page updated: · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year
Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

Forest Hill sits on the smaller end of the Texas city distribution. That scale shapes the housing market, the labor pool, and the services available to residents in ways the data below makes visible.

Located 9 miles west of Arlington, Forest Hill falls within that metro's commuting orbit. Median home values run roughly 38% lower than Arlington's $276,000.

Cost Overview

Housing 56
Rent 115

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Forest Hill

The median home value in Forest Hill is $171,300 — 44% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,506/month, 15% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $59,653/year is 20% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 5.6%, above the national average of 4.8%. Texas charges no state income tax, a meaningful advantage for take-home pay. The climate averages highs of 77.4°F and lows of 56.3°F. Overall, Forest Hill has a cost of living index of 80 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 20% less expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value
$171,300
44% below avg
Zillow Home Value
$221,375
Zillow ZHVI
Median Rent
$1,506/mo
15% above avg
Zillow Rent
$1,755/mo
Zillow ZORI
Price-to-Rent Ratio
9.5x
Favors buying
Property Tax Rate
1.7%
Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$766
1 BR
$811
2 BR
$981
3 BR
$1,307
4 BR
$1,509
Owner-occupied 69.3%
Renter-occupied 30.7%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent
$1,506
Groceries national estimate
$400
Utilities local estimate
$88
Transportation local gas prices
$126
Estimated Total $2,120/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚
Eggs (dozen)
$0.548
🍞
White Bread (lb)
$1.912
🥩
Ground Beef (lb)
$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute
31.7 min
17% above avg
Gas Price
$3.145/gal
0% below avg
Work From Home
8.3%

Commute Mode

Drove alone
74.4%
Carpooled
12.4%
Work from home
8.3%

Utilities

Electricity
$0.176/kWh
0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) None
Total Sales Tax 8.2%
State rate 6.3%
Avg local rate 1.9%
Property Tax 1.7%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income
$59,653
20% below avg
Per Capita Income
$23,364
Unemployment Rate
5.6%
16% above avg
Poverty Rate
15.1%
Labor Force Participation
60.5%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 10.5%
Graduate degree 1.9%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 33.3
Male median age 36.3
Female median age 32.1

🌤 Climate

NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals

Avg High
77.4°F
Avg Low
56.3°F
Annual Precip
36.2"
30° 48° 65° 83° 100° JFMAMJJASOND High Low Precip
Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F 586270778492969689796759
Low °F 374048556472757568574639
Precip" 2.342.633.373.134.333.541.701.683.324.722.622.81

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 57 — Moderate
27.1%
Good air days/yr
172
Max AQI recorded
239
PM2.5 days
122
Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Forest Hill, TX?

Forest Hill has a cost index of 80 (100 = national average). It is 20% below the national average.

What is average rent in Forest Hill, TX?

The median gross rent in Forest Hill is $1,506 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Forest Hill?

The median home value in Forest Hill is $171,300 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Forest Hill?

The median household income in Forest Hill is $59,653 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Forest Hill, TX?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Forest Hill is 8.2%. Texas has no state income tax.

Is Forest Hill, TX affordable?

Yes, Forest Hill is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 80 — about 20% below the US national average of 100.

What is the weather like in Forest Hill?

Forest Hill has average high temperatures of 77.4°F and average lows of 56.3°F. Annual precipitation is 36.2". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

Forest Hill at a Glance

Population
13,923
Median Income
$59,653
Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$1,506/mo
Unemployment
5.6%
Avg High Temp
77.4°F
Sales Tax
8.2%
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Explore county-level cost of living data

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