Moving from Des Moines, IA to Fort Worth, TX
The drive from Des Moines, IA to Fort Worth, TX runs 738 mi β about 12h 59m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
738 mi Β· 12h 59m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| 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
| Des Moines | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 12.4% pricier overall in Fort Worth than Des Moines 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 12.4% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Des Moines | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | β |
NOAA normals show Fort Worth running 16.6Β°F above Des Moines on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.82 |
Income steps up 12.4%: $63,966 in Des Moines vs $76,602 in Fort Worth.
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 Iowa 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 (16.6Β°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
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $63,966 in Des Moines β a 19.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $208,166 in Des Moines β a 43.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 738 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 738 mi and the route typically takes 12h 59m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 12.4% higher than Des Moines (103.09 vs 91.701, 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 Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA Β· Fort Worth, TX.