Moving from Elgin, IL to Fort Worth, TX
A move from Elgin, IL to Fort Worth, TX covers 961 mi and around 17h 51m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
961 mi Β· 17h 51m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 77 |
| 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
| Elgin | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Fort Worth and Elgin is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Fort Worth is 0.5% below Elgin ($298,051 vs $329,682 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elgin | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 14Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | β |
Fort Worth runs 18.5Β°F warmer on the annual average (49.0Β°F vs 67.5Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ELGIN, IL US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.82 |
Median household income in Fort Worth is 0.5% below Elgin ($88,316 β $76,602, 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 Illinois 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 (18.5Β°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
When is the best time to move from Elgin 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 961 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 Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 961 mi and the route typically takes 17h 51m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $329,682 in Elgin β a 9.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 0.5% lower than Elgin (103.09 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $88,316 in Elgin β a 13.3% lower 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 Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL Β· Fort Worth, TX.