Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Riverside, CA
It is 1353 mi between Fort Worth and Riverside β roughly 23h 17m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1353 mi Β· 23h 17m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 95 |
| 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
| Fort Worth | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Fort Worth and Riverside sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $298,051 in Fort Worth to $646,784 in Riverside, a 3.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 10.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 67.5Β°F vs 66.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Riverside sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.42 |
Households in Riverside earn about 3.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Riverside, CA from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 1353 mi and the route typically takes 23h 17m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 117.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 15.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1353 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Riverside more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 3.3% higher than Fort Worth (106.442 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
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· Riverside, CA.