Moving from Midland, TX to Waco, TX
Relocating between Midland, TX and Waco, TX is a 324 mi drive — 6h 9m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
324 mi · 6h 9m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, TX 158, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Odessa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Midland | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.783 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.24 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 101.497 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 95.783 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 roughly 3.4% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $328,325 to $194,245 moving to Waco.
YoY change: Midland +2.7%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Midland | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.6" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Midland (65.0°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: MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Midland | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,998 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $91,169 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 3.4% — $91,169 → $51,468 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 much do homes cost in Waco compared to Midland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $328,325 in Midland — a 40.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Midland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $50,470 in the Midland MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 114,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Midland 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 324 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Midland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 3.4% lower than Midland (92.55 vs 95.783, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Midland, TX?
The driving distance is 324 mi and the route typically takes 6h 9m via US 84 and TX 158. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Midland and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 65.0°F in Midland (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.9 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 13.6 in.
How does household income compare in Midland vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $91,169 in Midland — a 43.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Midland.
City profiles: Midland, TX · Waco, TX.