Moving from El Paso, TX to Waco, TX
It is 625 mi between El Paso and Waco — roughly 11h 2m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 1 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.
625 mi · 11h 2m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Odessa, Midland, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| El Paso | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.912 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.585 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.248 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 89.912 vs 92.55 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 2.9% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: El Paso +1.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | El Paso | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 35°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 8.8" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in El Paso (66.2°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: EL PASO INTL AP, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | El Paso | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $58,734 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.3% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.8 | 2.68 |
Households in Waco earn about 2.9% less at the median — ACS 5-year 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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Waco, TX from El Paso, TX?
The driving distance is 625 mi and the route typically takes 11h 2m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to El Paso?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $36,000 in the El Paso MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 323,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to El Paso?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $234,775 in El Paso — a 17.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Waco more expensive than El Paso?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 2.9% higher than El Paso (92.55 vs 89.912, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between El Paso and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 66.2°F in El Paso (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 8.8 in.
How does household income compare in El Paso vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $58,734 in El Paso — a 12.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from El Paso 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 625 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from El Paso.
City profiles: El Paso, TX · Waco, TX.