Moving from Allentown, PA to Waco, TX
A 1559 mi cross-country move between Allentown and Waco is 28h 16m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1559 mi · 28h 16m by car · TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → TN → VA → WV → PA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Allentown | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.968 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 107.591 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.569 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 105.52 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 7.4% cheaper overall in Waco than Allentown on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
7.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Allentown +3.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Allentown | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 22°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 33.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.4" | 37.5" |
Annual temperature rises 13.5°F moving to Waco per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ALLENTOWN INTL AP, PA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Allentown | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,320 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $53,403 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 32.4 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.9% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.68 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Pennsylvania and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.5°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Allentown vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $53,403 in Allentown — a 3.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Allentown, PA?
The driving distance is 1559 mi and the route typically takes 28h 16m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Allentown?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.4% lower than Allentown (92.55 vs 99.968, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Allentown?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $46,940 in the Allentown MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 368,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Allentown to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1559 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Allentown and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 53.1°F in Allentown (13.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 33.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 47.4 in.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Allentown?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $309,699 in Allentown — a 37.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Allentown.
City profiles: Allentown, PA · Waco, TX.