Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Chattanooga, TN
It is 827 mi between Fort Worth and Chattanooga β roughly 14h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
827 mi Β· 14h 49m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 40, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Chattanooga | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 91.464 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 74.209 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 95.994 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 76.55 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 11.3% moving from Fort Worth to Chattanooga β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Chattanooga run about 11.3% pricier β ZHVI $298,051 β $319,579 (2026-03).
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Chattanooga -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 32Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.6" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 55.0" |
Annual temperature drops 5.6Β°F moving to Chattanooga per NOAA normals.
Expect 3.6 in of snow annually at the destination β manageable with basic winter gear per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, CHATTANOOGA LOVELL AP, TN US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 182,832 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $61,028 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.35 |
Chattanooga households earn about 11.3% less than Fort Worth at the median β $76,602 β $61,028 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Chattanooga MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 34,970 | $39,520 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 27,430 | $36,320 |
| Production Occupations | 26,510 | $43,150 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 24,780 | $27,910 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 22,460 | $31,750 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Tennessee
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Tennessee's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Chattanooga average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Chattanooga averages 55.0 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Tennessee after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Chattanooga?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 827 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Chattanooga compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $319,579 in Chattanooga vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 7.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Chattanooga more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Chattanooga is 11.3% lower than Fort Worth (91.464 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Chattanooga compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,150 in the Chattanooga MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 261,750 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Chattanooga?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $61,028 in Chattanooga vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 20.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Chattanooga, TN from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 827 mi and the route typically takes 14h 49m via I 30 and I 40. The trip crosses 4 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 Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Chattanooga, TN.