Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Sunnyvale, CA
A 1672 mi cross-country move between Fort Worth and Sunnyvale is 29h 34m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1672 mi Β· 29h 34m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| 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 | Sunnyvale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 7.1% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.1% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $298,051 to $2,168,909 moving to Sunnyvale.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Sunnyvale -0.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 13.5" |
Annual temperature drops 7.6Β°F moving to Sunnyvale per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 153,455 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $181,862 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 30.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 2.61 |
Sunnyvale households earn about 7.1% more than Fort Worth at the median β $76,602 β $181,862 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sunnyvale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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
- Dry climate: Sunnyvale sees only 13.5 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
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Sunnyvale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1672 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Sunnyvale more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sunnyvale is 7.1% higher than Fort Worth (110.423 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Sunnyvale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $181,862 in Sunnyvale vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 137.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sunnyvale, CA from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 1672 mi and the route typically takes 29h 34m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sunnyvale compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Sunnyvale MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Sunnyvale compared to Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 627.7% higher 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· Sunnyvale, CA.