Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Waco, TX
Moving from Oklahoma City, OK to Waco, TX covers 292 mi and about 5h 12m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
292 mi · 5h 12m by car · OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, OK 9 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Denton, Frisco, Plano, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oklahoma City | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Waco and Oklahoma City is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 2.4% below Oklahoma City ($194,245 vs $206,713 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Oklahoma City -0.3%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oklahoma City | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 27°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 6.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.4" | 37.5" |
Waco runs 6.5°F warmer on the annual average (60.1°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
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: OKLAHOMA CITY WILL ROGERS AP, OK US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oklahoma City | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $66,702 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 2.4% below Oklahoma City ($66,702 vs $51,468, ACS 5-year 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 Oklahoma 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Oklahoma City 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 292 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Oklahoma City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $44,030 in the Oklahoma City MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from Oklahoma City, OK?
The driving distance is 292 mi and the route typically takes 5h 12m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Oklahoma City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $206,713 in Oklahoma City — a 6.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Oklahoma City vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $66,702 in Oklahoma City — a 22.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Waco more expensive than Oklahoma City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 2.4% higher than Oklahoma City (92.55 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Oklahoma City and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 60.1°F in Oklahoma City (6.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 6.7 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 36.4 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oklahoma City.
City profiles: Oklahoma City, OK · Waco, TX.