Moving from Austin, TX to Waco, TX
Moving from Austin, TX to Waco, TX covers 102 mi and about 1h 56m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
102 mi · 1h 56m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, LOOP 1, EXPRESS 1 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Austin | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Waco are 5.6% below Austin — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Waco typical home at $194,245 is 5.6% under Austin at $508,530 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Austin -5.7%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Austin | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 42°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | 37.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.0°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Waco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Austin | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 5.6% below Austin ($91,461 vs $51,468, ACS 5-year 2023).
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Waco more expensive than Austin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 5.6% lower than Austin (92.55 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Austin, TX?
The driving distance is 102 mi and the route typically takes 1h 56m via I 35 and LOOP 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Austin 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 102 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Austin vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $91,461 in Austin — a 43.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Austin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $508,530 in Austin — a 61.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Austin and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 70.0°F in Austin (3.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 36.3 in.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Austin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $50,070 in the Austin MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Austin.
City profiles: Austin, TX · Waco, TX.