City Guide / Fort Worth

Moving to Fort Worth, Texas? What You Need to Know

By Bri Hand | Sep 27, 2021
Beautiful downtown Fort Worth, Texas, skyline on a sunny afternoon.

Texas is a state full of diverse, unique, and populated cities. If you’re planning on moving to the Lone Star State, choosing which city to reside in may not be so easy. From the cost of living to the entertainment options—and also the overall vibe of the area—it’s important to consider some key factors and weigh your options before making a decision.

One of the most popular cities in Texas is Fort Worth. Although often referred to as the Dallas- Fort Worth area, Fort Worth is its own city. In fact, it’s actually the fifth-largest city in all of Texas!

Before you settle into one of Landing’s furnished apartments in Fort Worth, you’ll want to read on for everything you need to know about this historic and interesting city, including:

Let’s get started!

Fort Worth facts and figures

Before getting into the details of life in Fort Worth, every resident should know a few basic facts about the area. Most importantly, let’s take a look at the numbers. Here’s how the city of Fort Worth looks on paper:

  • Population: Fort Worth has a population of 913,656 people. The population of the city has steadily risen over the past decade, proving that Fort Worth is one of Texas’ most up-and-coming areas.
  • Geography: Nestled in the heart of northeast Texas, Fort Worth is just a 30-minute drive from the larger metropolitan Dallas area. This city is also just under three hours away from the capital city of Austin by car. The terrain of Fort Worth is mostly flat with some rolling hills, due to its location in the Great Plains region of the U.S. The elevation of the city ranges from 500 to 800 feet above sea level. Don’t get too excited by the word “sea,” though—Fort Worth is a whopping 676 miles away from its nearest coast, the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Climate: Like much of Texas, Fort Worth experiences mild winters and hot, humid summers. The climate is defined as subtropical, with average temperatures ranging from 44 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. 
  • Economy: Fort Worth has an unemployment rate of 7.35%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 6%. That being said, the city has seen notable improvements to its economy in recent years. The Fort Worth job market experienced a 2.7% increase over the past year. Combined with a 9.63% decrease in the poverty rate, 2021 brought promising numbers to Fort Worth’s budding market. Experts also predict a steady economic growth of 41.5% over the next decade, which is considered to be significantly faster than the estimated nationwide average of 33.5% growth.
  • Politics: Fort Worth resides in Tarrant County, a moderate-left leaning area of Texas. Despite the city’s slight democratic majority, Fort Worth actually belongs to the state’s 12th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Republican senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Republican Greg Abbott currently serves as the governor of Texas, and as of June 15, 2021, republican Mattie Parker holds the title of Fort Worth mayor. 

The best neighborhoods in Fort Worth

Before you finalize your move and start enjoying everything Fort Worth has to offer, it’s important to determine where you’ll be living within the city. Fort Worth is home to 11 unique districts, all of which have their own communities, cultures, and pace of life. 

Some of the best places to live and visit in the city of Fort Worth include:

  • Downtown: Downtown Fort Worth, like downtown Dallas, is a great place for young professionals looking to make connections. The downtown area hosts a number of networking events, bar crawls, and live shows for residents throughout the year for newcomers looking to explore the metro area. 
  • Cultural District: Fort Worth’s Cultural District is just a short drive away from Downtown, with much of the same walkability, convenience, and charm. The difference between these two neighborhoods is that the Cultural District is going to be quieter, more artistic, and a bit more affordable in terms of real estate.
  • Stockyards: Fort Worth’s historical district, also known as the Stockyards, is one of the liveliest and most popular areas of the entire city. In this neighborhood, you’ll find tons of the best restaurants in Fort Worth, saloons, and historic architecture. Locals can even enjoy the weekly championship rodeo, the twice-weekly cattle drive, and the unmistakable sights of the Stockyard Museum. 
  • West 7th: What the West 7th neighborhood lacks in square mileage, it certainly makes up for in fun. This adorable area holds some of the most fun things to do in Fort Worth, but spans a mere five blocks between Downtown and the Cultural District. Every block is packed with hip restaurants, trendy shops, and lively bars. While it may not offer much in the way of real estate, this small but mighty neighborhood is a must-visit for any Fort Worth resident. 
  • Near Southside: This neighborhood is known for its delicious restaurants, craft breweries, and (most of all) its tightly-knit community. From the lively Magnolia street to the quieter, family-friendly area of Fairmount, the Southside district is a great place to settle down for locals of all ages. 

Tips for moving to Fort Worth

Now that you’re quickly becoming a Fort Worth expert, it’s time to knock one final topic off the checklist: moving there. 

Transferring to a new city is never easy. Between moving expenses, packing, and actually getting there, people are often exhausted before they even get to their destination. Fortunately, you’ll already have the Fort Worth knowledge needed to jump right into things and start enjoying your new home right away. 

Here are a few tips and tricks everyone should know about when moving to Fort Worth, Texas, and surrounding areas:

  • Cost of living: The cost of living in Fort Worth index ranks relatively low, with an average score of 99.8 out of 100. Keep in mind, however, that this low score is mostly due to the city’s affordable housing market. You should still expect to pay competitive city prices for things like groceries, utilities, and transportation.
  • Biggest industries: Whether you’re currently employed or looking for a new gig, understanding your new city’s job market is never a bad idea. Some of the biggest employers in Fort Worth and north Texas include American Airlines, BNSF Railway, and ExxonMobil.
  • Traffic and commute: According to Texas Monthly Magazine, Fort Worth ranks as the state’s second-worst city in terms of traffic and commuting. With so many Texans on the road at once, it’s hard to avoid traffic jams when driving in any of the state’s major metropolitan areas, but Fort Worth seemingly gets the worst of it compared to Dallas and Houston. With that in mind, it’s important to note that the average commute time in Fort Worth is approximately 27.9 minutes—which may still pale in comparison to highly congested cities like Los Angeles, New York, or Boston. Either way, this is still a factor to consider when moving to Fort Worth with a car. 

Make Fort Worth your new home with Landing

While these Fort Worth facts and transferring tips are bound to be helpful, your real ace in the hole is going to be Landing’s network of rental homes.

Landing is a new way to find your next apartment. With a Landing membership, you’ll have access to our vast network of furnished apartments, flexible leasing options, and even pet-friendly rentals.

Kickstart your next move the easy way. Make Fort Worth your new home today with Landing!

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Bri Hand

Bri Hand is Landing's Content Marketing Manager. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts, with her partner and dog, Arlo, but relishes any opportunity she can to travel so she can try new foods, see gorgeous sights, and daydream about living somewhere new after visiting there for less than 24 hours.