Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Houston, TX
Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Houston, TX covers 263 mi and about 4h 49m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
263 mi Β· 4h 49m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 45, US 287, US 287 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Sugar Land, Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Fort Worth (103.09) and Houston (98.629) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Houston ZHVI at $264,336 is 4.3% below Fort Worth at $298,051.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 71Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 54.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.51 |
Median household income in Houston is 4.3% below Fort Worth ($76,602 β $62,894, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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 Houston average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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 Fort Worth to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 263 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Houston, TX from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 263 mi and the route typically takes 4h 49m via I 45 and US 287. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 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 Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 17.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 11.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Houston more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 4.3% lower than Fort Worth (98.629 vs 103.09, 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 Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Houston, TX.