Factors influencing moving costs from Des Moines to Fort Worthtoggle

The cost of Des Moines movers will depend on:

  • Move size: The cost of your move will depend on the amount of items you have in your home. For example, moving a one-bedroom apartment from Des Moines to Fort Worth can be as low as $1,421 while a four-bedroom home can be as high as $ 7,904.
  • Time of year: Summer is peak moving season in Des Moines, so moving companies will likely charge more.
  • Do-it-yourself vs professional mover: Renting a truck or using a moving container can be cheaper options, with prices for a rental truck ranging from $613 to $1,536. However, these options require more work and effort compared to hiring professional movers.

What to know before moving from Des Moines to Fort Worth

Moving from Des Moines to Fort Worth comes with exciting new opportunities โ€” but also higher living costs. Since Fort Worth is generally more expensive than Des Moines, itโ€™s important to plan ahead and budget carefully for the change.

Check out how the two cities compare so you know what to expect before you relocate:

Des Moines Fort Worth
Average rent cost $1,150 $1,773
Average home value $192,347 $298,372
Average income (per capita) $58,492 $65,237
Cost of living (single person) $1,891 $2,784
Cost of living (family of 4) $4,380 $6,842
Unemployment rate 5.9% 3.6%
Sales tax 7.0% 8.25%
State income tax 4.4% 0.0%
  • Rent prices in Fort Worth are 54% higher than in Des Moines, which means youโ€™ll have less money in your pocket each month.
  • In terms of homeownership, youโ€™ll be able to get more for your money in Des Moines.
    Home prices in Fort Worth are 55.1% higher than in Des Moines.
  • Income in Fort Worth is 11.5% higher than in Des Moines, so you could earn more for doing the same job. The top employers in Fort Worth include AMR/American Airlines, Texas Health Resources, and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.
  • Be sure to budget for higher bills in Fort Worth, since the cost of living for a single person in Fort Worth is 47.2% higher than in Des Moines. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
  • If youโ€™re moving your family to Fort Worth, keep in mind that your living expenses could increase. The cost of living for a family in Fort Worth is 56.2% higher than in Des Moines.
  • The unemployment rate in Fort Worth is 38.98% lower than in Des Moines.
  • Youโ€™ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Fort Worth, since the cityโ€™s sales taxes in Fort Worth are 17.86% higher than in Des Moines.
  • One perk of moving to Fort Worth is paying less in state income taxes, which are 100.00% lower than in Des Moines.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $4,416.71 in Fort Worth to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in Des Moines.

How life is different in Des Moines vs. Fort Worth

Fort Worth Des Moines
Population 918,915 699,292
AllTransit Transportation Performance Score 3 5
Walkability score 35 45
Bike friendliness score 39 39
Crime Index 43.19 5.0
Safety Index 56.81 57.8
Air Quality Moderate Good
  • Fort Worth's population is about 31% greater than Des Moines.
  • Fort Worth's public transportation has a score of 3 out of 10 versus Des Moines's higher score of 5.
  • Fort Worth is less walkable than Des Moines with a score of 35 out of 100 vs Des Moines's 45 out of 100.
  • Both Fort Worth and Des Moines have the same bike-friendliness score of 39 out of 100, meaning Fort Worth is about as safe for cyclists as Des Moines. Typically, cities that have scores of 20 or higher are seen as reasonably safe, though the higher the score, the more safely accessible a city is for bicycling.
  • Fort Worth's crime rate is higher than Des Moines with a score of 43.19 compared to Des Moines's 5.0. This means that Fort Worth neighborhoods are safer than 43.19% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Des Moines neighborhoods are safer than 5.0%.
  • Fort Worth and Des Moines are considered to be equally safe.
  • Air quality in Fort Worth is moderate, and in Des Moines it's good.

Other things to consider for your Des Moines vs. Fort Worth move

  • 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: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
  • Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
  • 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 through the state's public utilities commission.
  • 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 Fort Worth. Get started here.
  • Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of 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: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Fort Worth

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Cowtown", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Fort Worth.

Best neighborhoods for singles

  • Arlington Heights
  • Fairmount
  • Mistletoe Heights
  • Sundance Square
  • White Settlement

Best neighborhoods for families

  • Benbrook
  • North Richland Hills
  • TCU-Westcliff
  • Wedgwood
  • Westworth Village

Things to do in Fort Worth

After settling into your new Texas home, youโ€™ll want to branch out and explore your new city. Luckily, Fort Worth has lots to offer, no matter what youโ€™re interested in:

  • Arts and culture: Fort Worth is home to museums and cultural arts centers like the Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Log Cabin Village, and American Airlines CR Smith Museum.
  • Outdoor recreation: The cityโ€™s Trinity Park, Dreampark, Candleridge Park, and Adventure World Park โ€” among other sites โ€” are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
  • Sports: Catch a live game and cheer on the home team at an Panther City Lacrosse Club (NLL), Fort Worth Vaqueros FC (NPSL), Inocentes FC (UPSL), or North Texas Fresh (UBA) game.

FAQ

When is the best time to move from Des Moines to Fort Worth?

The best time to move from Des Moines to Fort Worth is during the spring or fall. These seasons offer milder weather and avoid higher moving costs during the peak moving season in Des Moines.

When is the cheapest time to move from Des Moines to Fort Worth?

Because most people are moving from Des Moines to Fort Worth in the spring or fall, you can often catch discounts by moving in the winter. Read our guide on moving discounts to learn more.

How long does a move from Des Moines to Fort Worth take?

The 741-mile move from Des Moines, IA, to Fort Worth, TX, takes one to six days. Some Des Moines movers may offer expedited moving if you need it faster. If you need more time, ask your mover about storage options in Fort Worth.

Helpful moving resources