Moving from Birmingham, AL to Waco, TX
Relocating 683 mi from Birmingham to Waco is a 12h 41m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
683 mi · 12h 41m by car · AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Birmingham | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.644 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.803 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.851 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.0% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Birmingham -2.5%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Birmingham | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 56.6" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Birmingham | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $44,376 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.9 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.25 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.0% higher in Waco than Birmingham.
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 Alabama 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.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Waco compare to Birmingham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 509,200 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Birmingham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $135,870 in Birmingham — a 43.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Birmingham and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 63.9°F in Birmingham (2.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 56.6 in.
How far is Waco, TX from Birmingham, AL?
The driving distance is 683 mi and the route typically takes 12h 41m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Birmingham 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 683 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Birmingham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 1.0% higher than Birmingham (92.55 vs 91.644, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Birmingham vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $44,376 in Birmingham — a 16.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Birmingham.
City profiles: Birmingham, AL · Waco, TX.