Moving from Burbank, CA to Waco, TX
Relocating 1434 mi from Burbank to Waco is a 25h 11m 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.
1434 mi · 25h 11m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 158, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Burbank | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Expect about 18.5% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Waco at 92.55 vs Burbank at 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 18.5% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $1,200,885 to $194,245 moving to Waco.
YoY change: Burbank -2.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Burbank | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Burbank (64.5°F) and Waco (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (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: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Burbank | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,165 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $95,816 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.44 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.5% — $95,816 → $51,468 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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 Burbank?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $50,490 in the Burbank MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Burbank 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 1434 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Burbank?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 18.5% lower than Burbank (92.55 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Burbank and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 64.5°F in Burbank (2.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 16.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Burbank?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $1,200,885 in Burbank — a 83.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Burbank vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $95,816 in Burbank — a 46.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Burbank, CA?
The driving distance is 1434 mi and the route typically takes 25h 11m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Burbank.
City profiles: Burbank, CA · Waco, TX.