Moving from Long Beach, CA to Waco, TX
The drive from Long Beach, CA to Waco, TX runs 1426 mi β about 25h 8m 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.
1426 mi Β· 25h 8m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Torrance, Inglewood, Burbank |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Long Beach | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco is 18.5% cheaper than Long Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 18.5% below Long Beach β $857,861 vs $194,245 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Long Beach +0.5%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Long Beach | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Long Beach (64.9Β°F) and Waco (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Long Beach | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 458,491 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $83,969 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.3% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 18.5% between Long Beach 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 95Β°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
Is Waco more expensive than Long Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 18.5% lower than Long Beach (92.55 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Long Beach to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1426 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Long Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $857,861 in Long Beach β a 77.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Long Beach vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $83,969 in Long Beach β a 38.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Long Beach, CA?
The driving distance is 1426 mi and the route typically takes 25h 8m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Long Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $50,490 in the Long Beach MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Long Beach.
City profiles: Long Beach, CA Β· Waco, TX.