Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Austin, TX
The 191 mi from Fort Worth to Austin translate to about 3h 24m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
191 mi Β· 3h 24m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Austin and Fort Worth is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Austin is 4.9% above Fort Worth β $298,051 vs $508,530 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 36.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Fort Worth (67.5Β°F) and Austin (70.0Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Austin gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.2 |
Income steps up 4.9%: $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $91,461 in Austin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
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 Austin 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 Fort Worth to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 191 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 Austin compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Austin more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 4.9% lower than Fort Worth (98.066 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 70.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Austin, TX from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 191 mi and the route typically takes 3h 24m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 19.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Austin, TX.