Moving from Richmond, VA to Fort Worth, TX
Relocating 1311 mi from Richmond to Fort Worth is a 23h 34m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1311 mi Β· 23h 34m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 81 |
| 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
| Richmond | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Fort Worth runs about 5.3% more expensive overall than Richmond β RPP 97.858 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Fort Worth run about 5.3% cheaper β ZHVI $369,646 β $298,051 (2026-03).
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 29Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | β |
Expect 8.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.82 |
Expect median household income to rise 5.3% β $62,671 β $76,602 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Virginia 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.
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.
- 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
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 1311 mi and the route typically takes 23h 34m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 5.3% higher than Richmond (103.09 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 1311 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $369,646 in Richmond β a 19.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $62,671 in Richmond β a 22.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 647,440 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 Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA Β· Fort Worth, TX.