Moving from Odessa, TX to Waco, TX
It is a 338 mi drive, roughly 6h 22m, between Odessa, TX and Waco, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
338 mi · 6h 22m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 158, US 84, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Odessa | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.896 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.86 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 89.709 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Odessa +5.6%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Odessa | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 32°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.9" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ODESSA, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Odessa | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,080 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $73,030 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 31 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.6% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.54 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 1.4% less than Odessa at the median — $73,030 → $51,468 on 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Odessa 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 338 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Odessa and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 64.4°F in Odessa (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.9 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 12.3 in.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Odessa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $45,830 in the Odessa MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 76,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Odessa vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $73,030 in Odessa — a 29.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Odessa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $251,239 in Odessa — a 22.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Waco, TX from Odessa, TX?
The driving distance is 338 mi and the route typically takes 6h 22m via TX 158 and US 84. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Odessa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 1.4% lower than Odessa (92.55 vs 93.896, 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 Odessa.
City profiles: Odessa, TX · Waco, TX.