Moving from Las Cruces, NM to Waco, TX
Relocating 668 mi from Las Cruces to Waco is a 11h 50m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
668 mi · 11h 50m by car · TX → NM
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 158, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland, Odessa, El Paso |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Las Cruces | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.212 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.918 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.144 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 62.982 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Las Cruces and Waco sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $290,023 in Las Cruces to $194,245 in Waco, a 2.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Las Cruces -0.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Las Cruces | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,612 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $55,176 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 32.7 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.41 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.6% lower in Waco than Las Cruces.
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 New Mexico 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close 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 Las Cruces?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $37,690 in the Las Cruces MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 75,470 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Las Cruces 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 668 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Las Cruces?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $290,023 in Las Cruces — a 33.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Las Cruces vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $55,176 in Las Cruces — a 6.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Las Cruces, NM?
The driving distance is 668 mi and the route typically takes 11h 50m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Las Cruces?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 2.6% higher than Las Cruces (92.55 vs 90.212, 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 Las Cruces.
City profiles: Las Cruces, NM · Waco, TX.