Moving from Boston, MA to Waco, TX
A 1861 mi cross-country move between Boston and Waco is 34h 29m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 11 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.
1861 mi · 34h 29m by car · MA → CT → NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MA → CT → NY → NJ → PA → MD → WV → VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Brockton, Cambridge, Lowell, Worcester, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boston | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.266 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.768 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.651 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 148.424 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Expect about 14.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Waco at 92.55 vs Boston at 108.266.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 14.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $798,217 to $194,245 moving to Waco.
YoY change: Boston -0.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Boston | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 23°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.6" | 37.5" |
Annual temperature rises 14.7°F moving to Waco per NOAA normals.
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: BOSTON LOGAN INTL AP, MA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boston | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.2 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 14.5% less than Boston at the median — $94,755 → $51,468 on ACS 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.
Moving between Massachusetts 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in 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 (14.7°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
Is Waco more expensive than Boston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 14.5% lower than Boston (92.55 vs 108.266, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Boston, MA?
The driving distance is 1861 mi and the route typically takes 34h 29m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 11 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Boston vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $94,755 in Boston — a 45.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Boston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $798,217 in Boston — a 75.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Boston 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 1861 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Boston and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 51.9°F in Boston (14.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 43.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boston.
City profiles: Boston, MA · Waco, TX.