Moving from Green Bay, WI to Waco, TX
The drive from Green Bay, WI to Waco, TX runs 1216 mi β about 22h 42m 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.
1216 mi Β· 22h 42m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL β WI |
|---|---|
| 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
| Green Bay | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.086 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.041 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.696 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Green Bay (93.086) and Waco (92.55) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Waco: 0.6% below Green Bay on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Green Bay +5.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Green Bay | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 37.5" |
Major climate step-up: 21.9Β°F warmer annual average in Waco vs Green Bay.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Green Bay | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,585 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $62,546 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.68 |
Income steps down 0.6%: $62,546 in Green Bay vs $51,468 in Waco.
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 Wisconsin 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.
Winter driving along this route
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 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 (21.9Β°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
Is Waco more expensive than Green Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 0.6% lower than Green Bay (92.55 vs 93.086, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Green Bay, WI?
The driving distance is 1216 mi and the route typically takes 22h 42m via I 44 and I 55. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Green Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 171,590 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Green Bay vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $62,546 in Green Bay β a 17.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Green Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $278,024 in Green Bay β a 30.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Green Bay to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1216 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Green Bay.
City profiles: Green Bay, WI Β· Waco, TX.