Moving from Lowell, MA to Fort Worth, TX
It is 1798 mi and 33h 27m from Lowell to Fort Worth β a cross-country move across 10 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1798 mi Β· 33h 27m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β WV β PA β NJ β NY β CT β MA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Lowell | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 108.266 vs 103.09 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 4.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $480,319 to $298,051 moving to Fort Worth.
YoY change: Lowell +0.4%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lowell | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 16Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.5" | β |
Expect 18.5Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LOWELL, MA US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lowell | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,799 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $76,205 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 35.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.71 | 2.82 |
Median household incomes in Lowell ($76,205) and Fort Worth ($76,602) are within a few percent (ACS 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.
Moving between Massachusetts and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter β check 511NY.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.5Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Lowell?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 4.8% lower than Lowell (103.09 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Lowell, MA?
The driving distance is 1798 mi and the route typically takes 33h 27m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Lowell?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $480,319 in Lowell β a 37.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Lowell 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 1798 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Lowell vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $76,205 in Lowell β a 0.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lowell.
City profiles: Lowell, MA Β· Fort Worth, TX.