Moving from San Antonio, TX to Fort Worth, TX
It is a 271 mi drive, roughly 4h 55m, between San Antonio, TX and Fort Worth, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
271 mi Β· 4h 55m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.8% above San Antonio β 94.716 β 103.09 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 8.8% above San Antonio β $249,810 β $298,051 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Antonio | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | β |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.82 |
Fort Worth households earn about 8.8% more than San Antonio at the median β $62,917 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.
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
Is Fort Worth more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 8.8% higher than San Antonio (103.09 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 271 mi and the route typically takes 4h 55m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $249,810 in San Antonio β a 19.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $62,917 in San Antonio β a 21.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 271 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 San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 1,091,510 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX Β· Fort Worth, TX.