Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Fort Worth, TX
A move from Winston-Salem, NC to Fort Worth, TX covers 1142 mi and around 20h 30m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1142 mi Β· 20h 30m by car Β· TX β AR β TN β VA β NC
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β TN β VA β NC |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 67 |
| 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
| Winston-Salem | Fort Worth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.043 in Winston-Salem to 103.09 in Fort Worth, a 12.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Fort Worth at $298,051 is 12.0% above Winston-Salem at $264,333.
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Fort Worth -2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 37Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | β |
Fort Worth runs 8.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.5Β°F vs 67.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Fort Worth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 941,311 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $76,602 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.82 |
Median household income in Fort Worth is 12.0% above Winston-Salem ($57,673 vs $76,602, 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.
Moving between North Carolina 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-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can 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 does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Fort Worth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,602 in Fort Worth vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 32.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem 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 1142 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 Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1142 mi and the route typically takes 20h 30m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Worth compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Fort Worth compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $298,051 in Fort Worth vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 12.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Fort Worth more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Worth is 12.0% higher than Winston-Salem (103.09 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Fort Worth, TX.