Moving from Cary, NC to Waco, TX
The drive from Cary, NC to Waco, TX runs 1228 mi — about 22h 58m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1228 mi · 22h 58m by car · NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC → SC → GA → AL → MS → LA → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 85 |
| Major cities en route | Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cary | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.157 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.96 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 103.476 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Waco are 5.7% below Cary — 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 5.7% under Cary at $626,396 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Cary -1.7%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Cary | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.3" | 37.5" |
Climate warms by 6.5°F on the annual average — 60.1°F → 66.6°F.
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: APEX, NC US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cary | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 176,686 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $129,399 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 39.8 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.4% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 5.7% between Cary and Waco (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 North Carolina 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 Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade 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.
- 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 Cary?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,800 in the Cary MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 702,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Cary 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 1228 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Cary and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 60.1°F in Cary (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 48.3 in.
Is Waco more expensive than Cary?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 5.7% lower than Cary (92.55 vs 98.157, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Cary vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $129,399 in Cary — a 60.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Cary, NC?
The driving distance is 1228 mi and the route typically takes 22h 58m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Cary?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $626,396 in Cary — a 69.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cary.
City profiles: Cary, NC · Waco, TX.