Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Brownsville, TX
Relocating 520 mi from Fort Worth to Brownsville is a 9h 30m drive through 1 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.
520 mi Β· 9h 30m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, US 287 BUS, I 35W |
| 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
| Fort Worth | Brownsville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 85.975 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 81.15 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 57.72 | 100.0 |
Expect about 16.6% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Brownsville at 85.975 vs Fort Worth at 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 16.6% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $298,051 to $195,993 moving to Brownsville.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Brownsville +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 51Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | β |
Expect 6.9Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Brownsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 188,023 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $48,675 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 30.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.21 |
Expect median household income to fall 16.6% β $76,602 β $48,675 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Brownsville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 23,130 | $22,740 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 19,670 | $22,260 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 19,400 | $34,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 15,770 | $22,990 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 12,620 | $55,410 |
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 Brownsville average 92Β°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
How far is Brownsville, TX from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 520 mi and the route typically takes 9h 30m via US 77 and US 287 BUS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Brownsville?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 520 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 Brownsville compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 154,580 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Brownsville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,675 in Brownsville vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 36.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Brownsville more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Brownsville is 16.6% lower than Fort Worth (85.975 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Brownsville compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $195,993 in Brownsville vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 34.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Brownsville, TX.