Moving from Kansas City, KS to Fort Worth, TX
It is 540 mi between Kansas City and Fort Worth β roughly 9h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
540 mi Β· 9h 18m by car Β· TX β OK β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 335 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Kansas City | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 11.4% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.4% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $198,195 to $298,051 moving to Fort Worth.
YoY change: Kansas City +1.0%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Kansas City | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 57Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 11.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 38.1" | β |
Annual temperature rises 10.6Β°F moving to Fort Worth per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: KANSAS CITY DOWNTOWN AP, MO US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Kansas City | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,776 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $59,183 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.82 |
Fort Worth households earn about 11.4% more than Kansas City at the median β $59,183 β $76,602 on ACS 2023.
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.
Moving between Kansas and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.6Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Kansas City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 11.4% higher than Kansas City (103.09 vs 92.543, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Kansas City 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 540 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Kansas City vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $59,183 in Kansas City β a 29.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Kansas City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $198,195 in Kansas City β a 50.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Kansas City, KS?
The driving distance is 540 mi and the route typically takes 9h 18m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Kansas City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $48,040 in the Kansas City MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Kansas City.
City profiles: Kansas City, KS Β· Fort Worth, TX.