Moving from Elgin, IL to Waco, TX
The drive from Elgin, IL to Waco, TX runs 1019 mi — about 19h 14m 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.
1019 mi · 19h 14m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, I 55, US 69 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Mesquite, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elgin | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco is 10.7% cheaper than Elgin overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 10.7% below Elgin — $329,682 vs $194,245 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Elgin +3.2%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Elgin | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 84°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 39.9" | 37.5" |
Waco runs 17.6°F warmer on the annual average (49.0°F vs 66.6°F) — a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
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: ELGIN, IL US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elgin | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $88,316 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.3 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.94 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 10.7% between Elgin 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 Illinois 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.
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 (17.6°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 Elgin?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $49,790 in the Elgin MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elgin 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 1019 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Elgin?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 10.7% lower than Elgin (92.55 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Elgin vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $88,316 in Elgin — a 41.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Elgin, IL?
The driving distance is 1019 mi and the route typically takes 19h 14m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Elgin?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $329,682 in Elgin — a 41.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Elgin and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 49.0°F in Elgin (17.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 39.9 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elgin.
City profiles: Elgin, IL · Waco, TX.