Living in Fort Worth, TX

Are you moving to Fort Worth, TX? Keep reading to learn more about what it's like living in Fort Worth, such as the cost of living, job market, and education!

The beautiful city of Fort Worth is found in North Central Texas and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. With a total population of 935,508 people, Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in Texas. An excellent place to live, Fort Worth has a vibrant Downtown area and an exciting city center. Known as one of the best places to live in Texas for its job market, culture, and southern hospitality, many young professionals and families are relocating.

Home to vast amounts of buildable land at an affordable price, the city has numerous safe and modern neighborhoods and suburban areas to choose from. If you are considering moving to Texas, you might want to consider making Fort Worth your new home. While moving can be stressful, this guide was created to help you figure out if Fort Worth is the place for you.

You can read on to learn more about ten things to know about life in Forth Worth. 

Fort Worth is different from Dallas.

Fort Worth and Dallas are often combined to create the "DFW" metropolitan area. While the two may constantly be linked together as one, the fact is that Fort Worth and Dallas are two completely different cities. Located next to each other, grouping these two cities as one is easy, but it often confuses non-locals.

If you should move to Dallas or Fort Worth, then it is essential first to have a firm understanding of what separates them from each other. First and foremost, Fort Worth is cheaper than living in Dallas. Rent prices are 18.8% lower in Fort Worth than in Dallas.

Fort Worth is also considered more "Texan" than Dallas due to its cowboy stereotype and abundance of cattle ranching in the area. Conversely, Dallas tends to be more urban, has more traffic, and is not as laid-back and relaxed as Fort Worth.

Affordable cost of living. 

The cost of living in Fort Worth is both reasonable and affordable. Compared to similar cities, Fort Worth is cheaper than living in Miami, Florida, or Los Angeles, California. With a cost of living closest to Dallas, Fort Worth is a great place to live if you want to get more for your money.

Plus, housing prices are 5% lower than the national average, and grocery prices are 7% lower than the national average. To live comfortably in Fort Worth, an average annual salary of nearly $53,000 is recommended. The lack of state income tax allows residents to save more money living in Fort Worth.  

The job market is booming.

If you are moving to Fort Worth and searching for a job, you are in luck. Fort Worth is considered a top career destination due to its location, affordability, and abundance of business opportunities. Home to one of the largest concentrations of Fortune 500 companies, many successful businesses and corporations are deciding to make Fort Worth and its surrounding area their headquarters.

As a large trade center and economic hub, some of the major leading industries in Fort Worth are manufacturing, distribution, oil and gas, defense, and technology. Gaining an increase of almost 200,000 jobs since May of 2020, the Fort Worth and Dallas metropolitan area has experienced a 7.7% jump in job growth over the past year. Some of the best companies and top employers in Fort Worth include GE, American Airlines, BNSF Railway, Pier 1 Imports, Exxon Mobil, and AT&T.

Fort Worth is highly educated.

If you are moving to the area with school-aged children, you will be happy to know that the Fort Worth education system is top-notch. Home to a highly-rated school system with some of the best public schools in Texas, Fort Worth prioritizes education.

The Fort Worth Independent School District teaches more than 84,000 students in Tarrant County. Providing multiple educational resources for its residents, some of the top public schools in the area include Tanglewood Elementary School, Harmony School of Innovation, and Marine Creek Collegiate High School.

There are also more than 60 private school options available for students. Before moving to the area, moving to a neighborhood that feeds into the schools you want your children to attend might be a good idea.

There is no shortage of Fort Worth students looking for higher education opportunities. Some of the top institutions in Fort Worth include Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, and Tarrant County College. There are also more than 60 other colleges and universities in the region. With the benefit of in-state tuition status, attend favorites such as The University of Texas or Texas A&M.

Beware of unpredictable weather. 

Experiencing a humid subtropical climate, residents can expect hot and muggy summers alongside cold and windy winters. Experiencing all four seasons, Fort Worth's weather is primarily mild but also unpredictable. The hottest month is July, with an average high temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meanwhile, the coldest month of the year is January, with an average low temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The months of April, May, and October are considered to be the most pleasant during the year. Receiving an average of 37 inches of rain per year, Fort Worth is just behind the United States average of 38 inches of rain per year.

While 229 days during the year are usually sunny, residents must be prepared for any unexpected weather. Receiving the most snowfall in Texas due to its higher elevation, the city gets an average of one inch of snowfall per year, if any.

During the spring months, as warmer temperatures start to move in, giant storms and hail often pop up randomly. Fort Worth is also located on the southern end of Tornado Alley, so residents need to watch out for tornadoes. Residents need to have a plan in place in case bad weather hits. 

Art is everywhere.

While Fort Worth may be all about football and the rodeo, the art scene is just as impressive. Priding itself for its "Cowboy Culture" and Wild West attractions, the city has a rich cultural history prominent in its museums, festivals, and entertainment. Fort Worth embraces and celebrates artistic expression in everyday life, from majestic galleries to street fairs and film festivals.

Check out some of these local favorite museums and shows in Fort Worth, Texas!

• Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth: This contemporary art museum houses art from the 1940s to the present. Featuring a reflecting pool and more than 300 pieces of modern art. This is a great place to bring the whole family. 

• Amon Carter Museum of American Art: Located in the Fort Worth cultural district, this museum displays unique Western artworks, including painting, photography, and sculpture. Featuring a permanent collection and rotating exhibits, this is an excellent place to admire the works of American artists. 

• Bass Performance Hall: Recognized as one of the top 10 opera houses in the entire world, this performance hall can seat over 2,000 people and is beloved for its superb acoustics. The Fort Worth Opera, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Texas Ballet Theatre, and Broadway shows perform here. 

• Lonestar International Film Festival: This film festival typically takes place in Sundance Square Downtown and lasts five days. Make sure to buy a ticket in advance to attend a showing. Even education programs are available, including screenwriting workshops and film theory.

Football is a way of life.

Known as a sports city, there are plenty of teams to support when living in Fort Worth. Football, in particular, seems to receive the most attention from residents. Although Fort Worth does not have a specific professional football team to cheer on, the Dallas Cowboys play nearby in the AT&T Stadium, bringing in a large crowd.

Even if you have never been a Cowboys fan, you will buy all things blue and white once you move to Fort Worth. During football season, the locals can be seen attending high school football games, routing for the college home team on the weekends, and watching NFL games at one of the local sports bars. It might be a good idea to start learning football rules now.

Explore the great outdoors. 

Fort Worth may be the perfect city if you love to breathe in the fresh air outside. Whether you like hiking, kayaking on the river, admiring wildlife, or simply having a picnic in the park, there are plenty of places to adventure outside the hustle and bustle of city life.

Check out some of Fort Worth, Texas's local parks and outdoor attractions!

• Fort Worth Water Gardens: Spanning 4.3 acres, this urban park is a popular attraction for its waterfalls, pools, and fountains. This is an excellent free place to hang out in the city. 

• Trinity Park, Fort Worth: Located along the Trinity River, spend the day here fishing, hiking, biking, running, or picnicking.

• Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge: This 3,000-acre preserve is home to multiple species of wildlife, including buffalo, alligators, deer, and birds. Enjoy the 20 miles of hiking trails and breathtaking views. Kayaking and survival classes are even offered here. 

• Eagle Mountain Park: Featuring 400 acres of open green space, hiking trails, natural areas, and even a scenic overlook. The tracks at this park are well-defined and well-maintained, and the lake on the North side of the trail is a great place to cool off.

Coffee is the beverage of choice.

How do you like your coffee? You better get used to this question now. Fort Worth is home to many cozy coffee shops and cafes that will quickly become your new favorite place for a latte.

Check out some of these local favorite coffee shops in Fort Worth, Texas! 

• Fort Worth Coffee Co.: Get your espresso fixed in this modern, clean atmosphere. Featuring meeting rooms, communal tables, and offices, this is the ideal place to get work done. 

• Buon Giorno Coffee: Enjoy great Italian coffee alongside delicious desserts and pastries. 

• Avoca Coffee Roasters: Roasting beans in-house, this coffee shop is a local best-kept secret. 

• Crude Craft Coffee Bar: This coffee shop serves alcohol spiked syrups! What a game-changer.

There is always something to do.

No matter what you like to do for fun in your spare time, you will always have things to do in Fort Worth. Whether you want to take tours of wineries, hang out at a waterpark, or visit a historical site, there is something for everyone in this city. Living in Fort Worth, Texas, is never dull.

Check out some of these local favorite attractions in Fort Worth, Texas! 

• National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame: This museum is dedicated to the women of the American West and features artifacts, exhibits, and a photography collection of cowgirl life. 

• Texas Motor Speedway: Come on out to watch a NASCAR race! 

• Fort Worth Aviation Museum: Learn about aviation and view airplanes from multiple periods up close and personal. 

• Lost Oak Winery: This scenic vineyard is the go-to for wine tasting and is an excellent place to host events. There is even a hiking trail behind the winery.

Pros and Cons - Forth Worth, TX

Pros:

• Job opportunities
• Affordable cost of living
• Diverse population
• Plenty of things to do

Cons:

• Traffic congestion
• Hot summers
• Natural disasters
• Crime rates

FAQS

Is Fort Worth worth moving to?

Fort Worth is a city that is full of rich history and many things to do. The more residential areas of the city boast low crime rates and affordable home prices, so it is worth moving to depending on your preferences. 

How much do I need to make to live in Fort Worth?

In Fort Worth, you can live comfortably with about $51,759, including other everyday expenses as well as savings. 

Is Dallas or Fort Worth better to live in?

Fort Worth is known to be more casual and easy going rather than Dallas; with less traffic and less expensive, many people choose Fort Worth over Dallas. 

Moving to Fort Worth, TX - The Bottom Line

As one of the safest communities in the country, Fort Worth is a clean and happy place to live. With the pros outweighing the cons, moving to Fort Worth will be worth it. Thanks to its affordable housing market, the abundance of jobs, and cultural diversity, it is no surprise that an average of 328 people are moving to the Fort Worth area every day.

If you have decided that you want to call Fort Worth home and want to buy a house, make sure to reach out to our knowledgeable and experienced Realty Specialists to aid and guide you through the home-buying process. Our team will help you through every step of the way. Contact us today to find your dream home in Fort Worth, Texas!