Things to know before moving from California to Fort Worth, TX

Cost of living: California vs Fort Worth, TX

California Fort Worth
Average rent cost $1,856 $1,773
Average home value $771,057 $298,372
Average income (per capita) $91,905 $65,237
Unemployment rate 5% 4%
State income tax 13% 0%
  • Rent is about 4% less expensive in Fort Worth than in California.
  • Home prices are about 61% lower in Fort Worth than in California.
  • The average income is about 29% lower in Fort Worth than in California.
  • Fort Worth has a lower unemployment rate than California by about 33%.
  • Income taxes are 100% lower in Fort Worth than in California.

How life is different in Fort Worth from California

Fort Worth California
Population 918,915 39,029,342
Political leaning Republican 56-42 Democratic 59-41
Summer high 96ºF 87ºF
Winter low 35ºF 59ºF
Annual rain 37" 22"
Annual snow 1" 7"
Crime index 43.19 28.43
  • The population of Fort Worth is approximately 98% lower than the population of California.
  • In the last presidential election, Fort Worth voted Republican and California voted Democratic.
  • The average high in the summertime in Fort Worth is 96ºF and in California, it’s 87ºF.
  • During the coldest part of the year, Fort Worth reaches the temperature of 35ºF and California gets down to 59ºF.
  • You can expect about 37 inches of annual rainfall in Fort Worth vs 22 inches of rainfall in California.
  • In Fort Worth, it snows about 1 inch annually vs 7 inches of snow in California.
  • Fort Worth has a higher crime rate than California with a crime index of 43.19 vs 28.43.

Things to do in Fort Worth

Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Fort Worth.

Museums in Fort Worthtoggle

  • Kimbell Art Museum
  • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
  • Amon Carter Museum of American Art
  • Log Cabin Village
  • American Airlines CR Smith Museum
  • Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
  • Stockyards Museum
  • Sid Richardson Museum
  • Fort Worth Aviation Museum
  • National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

Parks in Fort Worthtoggle

  • Trinity Park
  • Dreampark
  • Candleridge Park
  • Adventure World Park
  • Tillery Park
  • Airfield Falls Conservation Park
  • Centennial Park
  • Bowman Springs Park
  • Fort Worth Water Gardens
  • Oakhurst Park

Sports Teams in Fort Worthtoggle

  • Panther City Lacrosse Club (NLL)
  • Fort Worth Vaqueros FC (NPSL)
  • Inocentes FC (UPSL)
  • North Texas Fresh (UBA)
  • Azul City Premier FC (UPSL)
  • TCU Horned Frogs (NCAA)

Universities in Fort Worthtoggle

  • Texas Christian University
  • Texas Wesleyan University
  • University of Texas at Arlington - Downtown Fort Worth campus
  • University of North Texas Health Science Center
  • TCU School of Medicine
  • Texas A&M University School of Law
  • Tarleton State University - Fort Worth campus
  • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Brite Divinity School
  • Tarrant County College

Other considerations when moving to Fort Worth, TX

  • Weather: Although temperatures throughout the year are suitable for moving, rainfall is more frequent in May and October meaning your move could be slightly delayed. Spring is the time of year that tornados in Fort Worth are most likely.
  • HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
  • Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
  • Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
  • State licensing: In-state movers operating in the Lone Star State are legally required to be licensed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV), which issues 10-digit TXDMV numbers to commercial carriers. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
  • State regulator: You can verify a Texas moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
  • Moving permits: Texas does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
  • Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Texas. Get started here.
  • Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. In Texas, movers typically provide Released Value Protection at no additional cost, covering items at 60 cents per pound. For enhanced protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company. Alternatively, explore third-party insurance providers for customized plans. It's crucial to understand coverage limits, potential additional costs, and read reviews to make an informed decision about your moving insurance in Texas.
  • Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.

Compare the pros and cons of California vs. Fort Worth, TX

Comparing the pros of California vs. Fort Worth, TX:

There are always a lot of reasons to get excited about living somewhere new. These are the best parts of living in California vs Fort Worth side-by-side.

Pros of living in California Pros of living in Fort Worth, TX
Ample economic opportunity Quality education
Pleasant weather Ample economic opportunity
Abundant recreational options Bountiful recreational activities
High quality of life Amazing festivals
Fresh and healthy foods Friendly people

Comparing the cons of living in California vs. Fort Worth, TX:

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows, these are the things to be aware of when leaving California for Fort Worth.

Cons of living in California Cons of living in Fort Worth, TX
High cost of living Tornadoes
Heavy tax burdens Allergy-inducing pollen
Natural disasters Brutal heat
Terrible traffic High cost of living
Strange laws Terrible traffic

FAQ

How long does a move from California to Fort Worth take?

The time frame for a move from California to Fort Worth, TX, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.

Obviously, the further upstate you are in California, the longer the drive time to Fort Worth will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.

With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Fort Worth from California can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.

How far in advance should I book movers when moving from California to Fort Worth?

Because of the 1532-mile move, it’s best to book your move from California to Fort Worth as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.

What time of year is the cheapest to move to Fort Worth, TX?

With the summer highs of 96ºF and the winter lows of 35ºF, most people move to Fort Worth from California during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Fort Worth during summer or winter.

Helpful moving resources