Moving from Arlington, TX to Fort Worth, TX
The drive from Arlington to Fort Worth covers 20 mi in about 28 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
20 mi Β· 28 min by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287 BUS, I 20, FM 157 |
| Major cities en route | Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville, Dallas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Arlington | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Arlington (103.09) and Fort Worth (103.09) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $310,971 vs $298,051 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Arlington -3.0%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Arlington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.2" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ARLINGTON MUNI AP, TX US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Arlington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $73,519 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 33.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.8% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.81 | 2.82 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Worth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Fort Worth average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Arlington to Fort Worth?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 20 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Arlington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $48,440 in the Arlington MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Arlington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $310,971 in Arlington β a 4.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Arlington vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $73,519 in Arlington β a 4.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance is 20 mi and the route typically takes 28 min via US 287 BUS and I 20. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Arlington.
City profiles: Arlington, TX Β· Fort Worth, TX.