Moving from Garland, TX to Fort Worth, TX
It is a 51 mi drive, roughly 1h 2m, between Garland, TX and Fort Worth, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
51 mi Β· 1h 2m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 183 TEXPRESS, I 635 TEXPRESS, I 820 TEXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Denton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Garland and Fort Worth 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 for Fort Worth ($298,051) sits close to Garland ($286,805) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | β |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 67.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.82 |
Household income lines up β $74,717 vs $76,602 on ACS 5-year 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.
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.
- 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 does household income compare in Garland vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $74,717 in Garland β a 2.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Garland 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 51 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 51 mi and the route typically takes 1h 2m via TX 183 TEXPRESS and I 635 TEXPRESS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $286,805 in Garland β a 3.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Fort Worth, TX.