Moving from Waco, TX to Fort Worth, TX
The 95 mi from Waco to Fort Worth translate to about 1h 49m 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.
95 mi Β· 1h 49m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287 BUS, I 35W, FM 3051 |
| Major cities en route | Carrollton, Lewisville, Irving, Arlington, Grand Prairie |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.4% pricier overall in Fort Worth than Waco on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Fort Worth typical home at $298,051 is 11.4% above Waco at $194,245 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.6Β°F vs 67.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.82 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.4% between Waco and Fort Worth (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
When is the best time to move from Waco 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 95 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 11.4% higher than Waco (103.09 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 95 mi and the route typically takes 1h 49m via US 287 BUS and I 35W. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $194,245 in Waco β a 53.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $51,468 in Waco β a 48.8% 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX Β· Fort Worth, TX.