Living in Fort Worth, Texas: A Casual, Comfortable, and Culture-Filled Lifestyle

Fort Worth isn’t just an extension of Dallas; it is its own large and populated Texas city that is referred to as “where the West begins.” And living in Fort Worth, Texas? It may be right up your alley. With impressive job opportunities in a variety of fields like aerospace and oil, it’s one of the best cities you can relocate to for a career move or even start your own company. With a rich history and culture, you can explore plenty of museums, music venues, and other local attractions while also being surrounded by plenty of beautiful green spaces. And raising a family? It’s an excellent place for that, with its top-notch public schools and higher-education opportunities throughout the area. And that’s just for starters.

Fort Worth at a Glance

• Fort Worth is a part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex; however, the two cities are still approximately a 40-minute drive from each other. Dallas also has more of a fast-paced environment than Fort Worth.
• Fort Worth is located in North Central Texas, and the city is also the seat of Tarrant County.
• Fort Worth has a population of approximately 978,500.
• The median age of those living in Fort Worth, Texas, is 34 years old.
• The city of Fort Worth has a total area of almost 300 square miles.

15 Things To Know About Living in Fort Worth, Texas

We get it. Moving to a new city can feel overwhelming. And if it’s a large city like Fort Worth, there is truly a lot to learn, and lots of great aspects that typically go unnoticed. Before you make the move, it’s important to become familiar with the cost of living, housing market outlook, rent prices, and some of the best outlying neighborhoods to settle down in. Education opportunities, jobs, and the amount of local events and festivals are also important factors to consider. So to help you get more familiar with daily life and what there is to do in the city, take a look at the most important things we think you should know about living in Fort Worth, Texas.

1. Cost of Living in Fort Worth, Texas

Compared to other cities across the nation, Fort Worth is not one of the most expensive places to settle down as its cost of living index of 101.5 is only 1.5 percent higher than the U.S. average. However, the cost of living in Fort Worth, Texas, is 7.7 percent higher than the state average.

A family of four with both adults working should make an income of approximately $107,000 annually before taxes to live comfortably. A single adult living alone, such as a young professional, student, or retiree, should expect to make closer to $47,500, while a couple with both adults working and no children should make around $64,000 before taxes to lead a comfortable lifestyle.

The summer season in Fort Worth brings out the hottest temperatures of the year, which can typically reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Worth, Texas

Of course, every city has its good and bad traits. Here are some of the pros and cons of living in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Pro: Beautiful Scenery To Connect With Nature

One of the benefits of living in Fort Worth is that there are many parks and green spaces to enjoy. Whether it be to get active or simply enjoy the surrounding nature, residents have it all when it comes to vibrant green spaces. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, in particular, is a must-visit for all residents!

Pro: Lively and Strong Sense of Community 

Plenty of events and festivals take place in the city throughout the year, making community engagement one of the best benefits of living in Fort Worth. Two of the most popular events are the Main Street Arts Festival and Mayfest, which showcase local musicians and artists and foster a sense of community pride.

Con: Overwhelming Summer Heat

The summer season in Fort Worth brings out the hottest temperatures of the year, which can typically reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat can affect outdoor activities while also increasing the price of various utilities and air conditioning. 

Con: High Property Tax Rates

In Fort Worth, residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the state. This can make homeownership more costly for those who are considering a purchase. 

Con: Severe Texas Weather

Unfortunately, Fort Worth isn’t immune to the severe weather that Texas can experience, including hail storms and tornadoes. These incidents can create massive disruptions and sometimes even leave extensive damage to homes, public buildings, and more. 

3. Fort Worth Housing Market

• Average home price in Fort Worth, TX: $302,900

The housing market in Fort Worth has become more competitive in recent years due to the abundance of people moving into the city. If you’re looking to move somewhere closer to downtown, the prices are going to be much more expensive, and it will be very competitive when it comes to finding the best rates. 

There are numerous architectural styles to choose from when it comes to finding the right house, and some of the most popular ones in the city tend to be craftsman, ranch, and contemporary. Victorian homes are also common in historic neighborhoods like Fairmount.

4. Apartments/Renting in Fort Worth

• Average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Fort Worth, TX: $1,450

Fort Worth's downtown district is known for its historic charm and vibrant atmosphere.
(Source: Fallon Michael)

5. Best Places To Live in Fort Worth

Not sure where the best place is to settle down in Fort Worth? Check out some of these neighborhoods ideal for all walks of life living in Fort Worth, Texas. 

Downtown Fort Worth

Fort Worth's downtown district is known for its historic charm and vibrant atmosphere, and living in downtown Fort Worth is ideal for young professionals. Some of the city's best attractions, such as the Sundance Square shopping district and the Bass Performance Hall, are located here. Other performing arts centers can also be found in this area, such as the Scat Jazz Lounge and the Sid Richardson Museum.

Various types of housing are available for those interested in living in downtown Fort Worth (such as singles or young adults) and include high-rise apartments and unique historic loft conversions.

Fairmount

Fort Worth's Fairmount neighborhood is characterized by its Victorian-era homes and tree-lined streets. It’s also known for its abundance of green spaces, like Magnolia Green Park, and laid-back atmosphere — which is very suitable for a retired lifestyle. The housing types in this area are mainly single-family houses, with charming porches and unique details hard to find elsewhere.

Arlington Heights

Arlington Heights is a family-friendly residential area of Fort Worth that features historic homes and a friendly but slower-paced environment. The neighborhood is close to various attractions, such as the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and the Dickies Arena. And there are a variety of housing types in this neighborhood, including Tudor-style homes and craftsman bungalows, which reflect the city's rich history.

6. Public Transportation in Fort Worth

Fort Worth's limited public transportation makes it difficult for people to get around the city efficiently, and the city only has a transit score of 22. This score indicates that you will most likely need a car to get around, which can be a problem for people who prefer to commute in an eco-friendly manner or those who don't have cars.

The Trinity Metro is the bus system operating within the city, but it covers limited areas and mostly provides rides to attractions downtown like the Cultural District.

7. High-Quality Education in Fort Worth

The entire Fort Worth-Dallas Metroplex is home to a number of accredited colleges and universities, which offer an education in a wide variety of career disciplines. If you’re looking for a school with smaller class sizes, consider Dallas Christian College, which is just under 40 minutes away from Fort Worth. If you’re looking for a college experience with a higher population of people, Texas Christian University is 10 minutes away and the University of Texas at Arlington is roughly 20 minutes away. Texas Wesleyan University is another option just minutes away from downtown, however you will get more of a smaller university experience. 

In addition to higher education, the Fort Worth area is proud to boast a number of top-notch public schools, including the Texas Academy of Biomedical. 

8. Fort Worth Sports

The Dallas-Fort Worth area is famous for its abundance of sports teams, which includes a number of scenic venues and plenty of events taking place all throughout the year. While the most popular teams, the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Cowboys, tend to receive the most praise, there are plenty of other teams that are just as fun to watch and root for! Baseball fans can root for the Frisco RoughRiders, while hockey fans can support the Lone Star Brahmas and basketball fans can cheer on the Dallas Wings of the WNBA. Don’t forget about the Dallas RoughNecks ultimate frisbee team, too!

Head downtown for a visit to the refreshing (and visually stunning) Water Gardens.

9. The Creative and Lively Culture of Fort Worth

Fort Worth is known for its vibrant arts scene, with numerous museums within the city that showcase the works of varying artists. You can watch a film, get a bite to eat at Cafe Modern, and view the work of talented individuals at The Modern Art Museum. The Kimbell Art Museum is another spectacular place with over 350 works of art, including those by artists such as Philip Guston and Pablo Picasso.

If you’re looking for something to do outdoors, you can head downtown to the refreshing (and visually stunning) Water Gardens. And less than a half-mile away is Sundance Square, an entertainment hub in Fort Worth where you can take in a Broadway show at the Bass Performance Hall or an opera performance by Fort Worth Opera.

10. Seasonal Climate Changes in the Fort Worth Area

The climate in Fort Worth, Texas, is characterized by humid summers and fairly cold winters. During the summer season, the temperature is usually around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the winter typically experiences a low temperature of 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Fort Worth area experiences heavy rainfall during the summer and late spring seasons, and thunderstorms are quite common throughout the year. In fact, there is roughly 34 inches of precipitation each year estimated in the area, which also includes snow during the winter.

The hottest month in Fort Worth is August, which has an average temperature of 96.1 degrees Fahrenheit. But Fort Worth experiences much more comfortable months during other times of the year, with high temperatures ranging from closer to 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

11. Safety in Fort Worth 

12. Fort Worth’s Booming Job Market

Fort Worth residents have plenty of opportunities to find employment in various industries, such as aerospace, gas and oil, and manufacturing. Some of the Fortune 500 companies in the area that offer positions in these types of fields include BNSF Railway, American Airlines, and Bell. Those interested in working in the oil and gas industry, specifically, can look into careers at companies such as Finley Resources and Forum Energy Technologies.

And due to the abundance of top-notch colleges and universities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, job positions are also often available at local schools like Texas Wesleyan University. 

Tourists and locals can catch the longhorn cattle drive in the Fort Worth Stockyards twice daily.

13. Exciting Events and Festivals

Fort Worth has plenty of events and festivals that keep residents busy and entertained throughout the year. July and August, for example, are packed with lots of fun events, including concerts at Rockin’ the River. And during the Lone Star Film Festival, you can see some of the year's most anticipated movies.

The city is also home to the only twice daily longhorn cattle drive in the world. Tourists and locals can watch as the herd parades through the Fort Worth Stockyards at 11:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. every day.

One of the most popular events? The Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival. There, you can try different food and check out art offerings. You can also check out live music performances throughout the festival on multiple stages.

14. Fort Worth’s Diverse Food Scene

There isn’t just one particular type of food that describes Fort Worth, as the city is truly a foodie haven with a diverse variety of options! You can never go wrong with a classic Texas BBQ experience, though, and Fort Worth has you covered at popular hot spots like Woodshed Smokehouse, which serves up some of the best pork ribs and brisket sandwiches in the whole state!

Of course, you can chow down on other delicious dishes from all over the world. Enjoy enchiladas and fajitas at Los Asaderos, or enjoy a variety of Italian dishes at 61 Osteria, for instance. 

15. Outdoor Exploration When Living in Fort Worth, Texas

Museums, events, and festivals make up a lot of the fun that takes place in the Fort Worth area; however, you can enjoy just as much excitement when you embark on different adventures across the many outdoor spaces of the city’s region. The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, for example, is currently the oldest botanic garden in Texas and includes a picturesque Cactus Garden and Rose Garden. When you’re in the mood for some outdoor active time, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is a fabulous spot to hike and take walks! And if you’re looking for a great way to spend some outdoor time with the entire family, the local Trinity Park provides the kids with a playground to enjoy and plenty of room to enjoy a cookout!

Have your PODS container delivered right to your driveway, where you can load it on your own schedule.

Plan Your Fort Worth, TX, Move With PODS

Just like with all major cities, Fort Worth has its fair share of pros and cons, but we think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. With a diverse and rich culture full of fun activities and local events, not to mention an ideal job market to further a career and raise a family, it’s hard to pass up all that is offered when living in Fort Worth, Texas!

Deciding to move to Fort Worth is the easiest part of the moving process, though. Actually getting there presents the challenge. With the help of portable moving containers from PODS, you can easily move from your current place to your brand new Fort Worth residence. Have your PODS container delivered right to your driveway, where you can load it on your own schedule. And you can also get recommendations for local packing and loading services, if you need additional help. Once you're ready, your container will be picked up and delivered to your new home or stored securely in a PODS Storage Center until you’re ready. 

Editor’s note: For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.