Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Tuscaloosa, AL
Relocating 623 mi from Fort Worth to Tuscaloosa is a 11h 22m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
623 mi Β· 11h 22m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Lewisville, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 14.9% moving from Fort Worth to Tuscaloosa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $298,051 in Fort Worth to $228,947 in Tuscaloosa, a 14.9% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 57.3" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.5Β°F vs 64.3Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 14.9% β $76,602 β $48,536 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Tuscaloosa average 92Β°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: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 623 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 Tuscaloosa compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 14.9% lower than Fort Worth (87.722 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 623 mi and the route typically takes 11h 22m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 36.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 23.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Tuscaloosa, AL.