Moving from Wichita, KS to Fort Worth, TX
It is a 356 mi drive, roughly 6h 16m, between Wichita, KS 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.
356 mi Β· 6h 16m by car Β· TX β OK β KS
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Wichita | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.946 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.459 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.027 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 66.245 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Fort Worth runs about 15.9% more expensive overall than Wichita β RPP 88.946 β 103.09.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $202,720 in Wichita to $298,051 in Fort Worth, a 15.9% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Wichita +2.2%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Wichita | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 58Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 23Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 12.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.3" | β |
Annual temperature rises 9.8Β°F moving to Fort Worth per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WICHITA, KS US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Wichita | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 396,488 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $63,072 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 2.82 |
Fort Worth households earn about 15.9% more than Wichita at the median β $63,072 β $76,602 on 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 Kansas 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.
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
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Wichita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 15.9% higher than Wichita (103.09 vs 88.946, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Fort Worth, TX from Wichita, KS?
The driving distance is 356 mi and the route typically takes 6h 16m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Wichita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $202,720 in Wichita β a 47.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Wichita vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $63,072 in Wichita β a 21.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Wichita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $44,790 in the Wichita MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 303,910 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Wichita 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 356 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Wichita.
City profiles: Wichita, KS Β· Fort Worth, TX.