Moving from Wilmington, NC to Fort Worth, TX
Relocating 1234 mi from Wilmington to Fort Worth is a 22h 39m drive through 7 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.
1234 mi Β· 22h 39m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA β SC β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| 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
| Wilmington | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.422 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.902 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 93.215 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 6.9% 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 6.9% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $416,159 to $298,051 moving to Fort Worth.
YoY change: Wilmington -1.4%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wilmington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 60.1" | β |
Annual average temperatures in Wilmington (64.4Β°F) and Fort Worth (67.5Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WILMINGTON INTL AP, NC US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wilmington | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,578 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $63,900 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.2% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.15 | 2.82 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.9% higher in Fort Worth than Wilmington.
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 North Carolina 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Wilmington?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $43,250 in the Wilmington MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 142,780 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Wilmington vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $63,900 in Wilmington β a 19.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Wilmington 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 1234 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 Fort Worth compared to Wilmington?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $416,159 in Wilmington β a 28.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Wilmington, NC?
The driving distance is 1234 mi and the route typically takes 22h 39m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Wilmington?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 6.9% higher than Wilmington (103.09 vs 96.422, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wilmington.
City profiles: Wilmington, NC Β· Fort Worth, TX.