Moving from Cedar Rapids, IA to Waco, TX
It is 948 mi between Cedar Rapids and Waco β roughly 16h 53m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
948 mi Β· 16h 53m by car Β· TX β OK β KS β MO β IA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β KS β MO β IA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, MO 110 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cedar Rapids | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 88.963 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.981 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.447 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 88.963 vs 92.55 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
No meaningful housing gap at the typical-home level: ZHVI $204,112 vs $194,245.
YoY change: Cedar Rapids +2.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cedar Rapids | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 11Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 37.5" |
Expect 18.3Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CEDAR RAPIDS MUNI AP, IA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cedar Rapids | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $67,859 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.32 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 4.0% less than Cedar Rapids at the median β $67,859 β $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 Iowa 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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 95Β°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 (18.3Β°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
How does the job market in Waco compare to Cedar Rapids?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $47,670 in the Cedar Rapids MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 140,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cedar Rapids vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $67,859 in Cedar Rapids β a 24.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Cedar Rapids?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $204,112 in Cedar Rapids β a 4.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Cedar Rapids to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 948 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Waco, TX from Cedar Rapids, IA?
The driving distance is 948 mi and the route typically takes 16h 53m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Cedar Rapids?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 4.0% higher than Cedar Rapids (92.55 vs 88.963, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cedar Rapids.
City profiles: Cedar Rapids, IA Β· Waco, TX.