Are you planning to move to Tarrant County, Texas, soon? The Fort Worth metro is one the best places to live in the Lone Star state, thanks to a diversified economy, growing job market, quality education, and multiple entertainment options.
We know moving isn't easy. When relocating, there are many important things to consider, such as the area's climate, taxes, and local real estate market. Plus, you want to know what fun activities await as you set up your new life to see if the lifestyle makes sense.
This article provides information about living in Tarrant County and the Fort Worth metro. Hopefully, knowing these details will help ensure that your move is successful.
Cities
Fort Worth is the principal city in Tarrant County, and home to over 935,000 people as of 2021. Almost half of all residents live inside the city limits. According to US News and World Report in 2022, our city is the third-best place to live in Texas.
But it's not the only official municipality in the expansive Tarrant County. In total, there are 41 incorporated areas in the county.
Arlington is the second-largest city, with almost 400,000 residents. It's in the southeastern corner between Fort Worth and Dallas.
You may also be interested in Keller, Grapevine, North Richland Hills, Saginaw, or Lake Worth.
Each city has its own attractions, culture, and opportunities to explore. Depending on what type of lifestyle you're looking for, each municipality may provide different resources that match what you need. Tarrant County's options range from a downtown urban core to acreage and ranchlands.
Tarrant County Economy
Tarrant County has seen a surge in job growth over the past two years. In 2018, Wallethub called Fort Worth one of the best cities to start a business. Other accolades have recognized it as a top city for women entrepreneurs and a top place to work and live. Arlington is also ranked as a great place to work and live in Texas.
The whole DFW metroplex has 23 Fortune 500 headquarters. American Airlines, Lockheed Martin, and Meta are among them.
Fort Worth's economy is heavily driven by transportation and warehousing, manufacturing, healthcare, oil and gas, hospitality, and tourism. The city continually strives to expand these sectors to provide more employment opportunities for all individuals.
Targeted industries are IT & Research, where it's attracted companies like Simpli.fi and Century Link. The 100 healthcare businesses and agencies include Alcon, Virbac, and McKesson. Computer and Information Systems Managers were among the city's top-paying occupations, with employees earning $150,800 on average. A growing financial services industry had over five $1B+ private equity firms based in Fort Worth.
Tarrant County Taxes
The taxes in Tarrant County vary depending on which city you decide to put down roots.
Starting with sales taxes, Texas has a 6.25% sales tax rate on most retail services and goods. Local jurisdictions can also impose an additional sales tax, and Tarrant County adds an extra 0.5%. Fort Worth and the surrounding municipalities also levy an additional sales tax, for a total of 8.25% in sales taxes.
While Texas does not charge a state income tax, it has to make up the funds for government services somewhere. Property taxes in Texas are known for being some of the highest in the nation. Tarrant County has one of the largest property tax rolls in the state based on the number of accounts it manages.
Each city in the county charges rates based on $100 of property valuation, known as the millage rate. For reference, see the 2022 list of taxing rates to find the millage for a specific city. The City of Everman had the highest municipal property tax, at 1.119676, followed by River Oaks, Pelican Bay, and Fort Worth. Westlake had the lowest municipal property tax, followed by Edgecliff Village and Hamlet.
Properties are re-valued each year on January 1, with residents being notified by April 1 if the property value appraises at least $1,000 higher than the prior year. All properties are taxed at 100% of market value. There are some homestead exemptions. If you have questions, seek the advice of a tax professional.
Make sure to research and consider the tax implications when deciding which city to move to. These rates don't include special taxing districts or school district levies. To get the most accurate rates, look up the address of the property you're considering.
North Central Texas Climate
The good news is the climate in Tarrant County is relatively temperate year-round. Do be ready for hot summers but generally expect mild winters. The temperature highs typically range from the mid-50Fs in winter to the upper-90Fs in summer. Winter lows can drop under freezing, so ice isn't entirely uncommon. Rainfall is generally limited to 3-5 days a month, so you'll have plenty of sunshine for outdoor activities.
You need to know that Tarrant County does experience some extreme weather, including tornadoes and thunderstorms, much like other states do. Just keep an eye on the weather forecasts for any developing conditions.
Getting Around Tarrant County
Tarrant County is well-connected via several major highways, including I-20 and I-30. You'll need a car to get around if you live in the Fort Worth suburbs or commute to work.
Public transportation is available in Fort Worth via bus and commuter rail (the Trinity Railway Express) run by the Trinity Metro. Buses run from 6am-10pm and make stops downtown. Molly The Trolley service runs from Sundance Square to the Fort Worth Convention Center, with stops at the central station.
The Trinity Rail Express and TEX-Rail system operates between Fort Worth, Dallas, and the airport. It's an alternative to driving into Dallas for sporting events or parking your car at the airport lots.
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport serves the entire region. One of the nation's busiest airports, it is a hub for American Airlines.
School Districts
Tarrant County is covered by multiple school districts–20, in fact! Researching each district before making your move can help you to decide which area is best suited for your family's educational needs. Your city could be zoned for:
- Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD)
- Arlington ISD
- Birdville ISD
- Keller ISD
- Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
- Northwest ISD
- Or another one entirely!
The Texas Education Agency assigns grades to the state's school districts based on academic performance, graduation rate, and school progress. Making the "A" grade in Tarrant County for 2022 were Carroll, Grapevine-Colleyville, Keller, Northwest, and Mansfield.
In 2022, US News and World Report ranked the Young Women's Leadership Academy in Fort Worth as no. 21 in Texas and no. 130 in national rankings.
Tarrant County Cost of Living
The cost of living in Tarrant County is higher than the national average, but only by about 1.5% in 2022. Transportation was the highest above-average expenditure. Tarrant County has a lot of ground to cover, and public transportation is concentrated in Fort Worth.
MIT's Living Wage calculator estimates a family of four with one adult working would require an annual after-tax income of $65,565 to make a living wage in Tarrant County in 2022. Food expenses for this family were typically $9,856, while housing ran $16,126 and transportation was $15,012.
Tarrant County Housing Market
The housing market in Tarrant County is competitive and ever-changing. Before deciding to move, research the types of homes available, the cost of living, and potentially any additional fees associated with purchasing a home or renting an apartment.
The housing report from the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors (GWFAR) reported the median prices in Tarrant County were up 6.1% year-over-year (YOY) in December 2022, coming in at $350,000. Active listings were up 142% but remained historically low overall, at just two months' supply of inventory. Closed sales were down 30%.
Year-over-year, Tarrant County's average and median prices have risen. The average price in 2021 was $370,449, almost $61,000 more than homebuyers paid in 2020. Listings were down nearly 50%, with a 0.7 months supply of inventory. Figures for 2022 have not been released yet as of drafting.
Interested in what might happen in 2023? Check out our local real estate trends to see where we think the real estate market might be heading.
Best Places to Live in Tarrant County
Covering 902 square miles, you have plenty of great places to live in Tarrant County. We're the third most populated county in Texas for a reason. Figure out what you want in a neighborhood, and then find if the community has what you need.
In Fort Worth, we have a thriving downtown with a multi-block entertainment district, an extensive park system for recreation, and one of the largest museum districts outside Washington, DC. Top neighborhoods include the historic Fairmount area, the family-friendly Tanglewood, and the affluent Westover Hills.
Arlington sits between Fort Worth and Dallas, making it easy to access the attractions of both metro areas. The downtown has an energetic nightlife scene, and locals have theme park attractions for thrills. Sports are central to the culture, as the Dallas Cowboys and Texas Rangers stadiums are here.
In Keller, enjoy suburban neighborhoods with access to great schools and local amenities. While it's close to the city but less dense and crowded. Residents have 26 miles of pedestrian trails for outdoor recreation. To boot, it has a lower crime rate and a better school system than Fort Worth ISD.
Grapevine offers a country feel and lake access, while North Richland Hills provides good shopping opportunities.
Saginaw, Lake Worth, and Colleyville are more beautiful places to check out that deliver a small-town feel but access to your day-to-day needs for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Things to Do
Tarrant County's roster of activities, attractions, and entertainment options runs deep. Many of the well-known things to do are centered in Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Stockyards, Sundance Square, and The Modern Art Museum are all must-see spots.
Art is very much part of Fort Worth's culture. Head to the Kimbell Art Museum, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, or The Modern to admire works from multiple periods in history and contemporary artists. One of the city's largest events is the annual Main Street Art Festival, which features art displays both indoors and out.
Music lovers will enjoy the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and the local and national acts that visit venues like Billy Bob's Texas and Panther Island Pavilion.
Do you like to get outdoors? The Trinity Trails provide great options for jogging, biking, and hiking. Cool off in the summer at one of the area's lakes–Benbrook Lake, Eagle Mountain Lake, or Lake Worth. The Fort Worth Water Gardens and Fort Worth Botanic Gardens are more attractions to enjoy nature. At Panther Island, you can launch tubing, paddle boards, or kayaks on the Trinity River.
The Fort Worth Zoo is a great place to take the family to see endangered and interesting wild animals from around the globe. Outside of town, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge provides a natural oasis to enjoy native wildlife, like a reintroduced bison herd.
At AT&T Stadium in Arlington, catch a Dallas Cowboys game or one of the many concerts and shows that take place there. Arlington is also home to Six Flags Over Texas, the Hurricane Harbor water park, and the International Bowling Museum.
The point is, you will never run out of things to do when you move to Tarrant County!
What to Do When You Move Here
Getting settled in your new home can take some time. There's so much to do, like transferring utilities and registering vehicles. Here are a few resources to help:
Utilities: Various electric counties service the Tarrant County zip codes. Find yours at ChooseTexasPower.org.
Trash Pickup: Get your garbage, recyclables, and bulk items collected curbside in Fort Worth. The Solid Waste Services tool will show your pickup schedule. For other incorporated areas, go to the city's website for garbage service information.
Driver's License and Vehicle Transfer: Locate the closest office to easily obtain a license or identification card. If you're close to one of the Department of Public Safety's "Mega Centers," don't forget that you can also reserve your place in line online before visiting, allowing for an effortless experience!
Voting centers: Register to vote in state and federal elections. You can also find your local polling place as well as get information about upcoming elections.
Moving to Tarrant County
Life in Texas can be an exciting and rewarding experience. With a diverse range of cities and activities in Tarrant County, you're sure to find something that appeals to you. Keep in mind the information presented here as you move forward with your plans and ensure that your move is successful. If you have any questions, the Chicotsky Real Estate Group is happy to answer them.
