Moving from Ontario, CA to Waco, TX
A move from Ontario, CA to Waco, TX covers 1385 mi and around 24h 17m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1385 mi Β· 24h 17m 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 | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Rancho Cucamonga, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco is 13.1% cheaper than Ontario 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 13.1% below Ontario β $672,742 vs $194,245 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Ontario (66.8Β°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: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 13.1% below Ontario ($82,806 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 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
How does the job market in Waco compare to Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Waco more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 13.1% lower than Ontario (92.55 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 71.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1385 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Waco, TX from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 1385 mi and the route typically takes 24h 17m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 37.8% 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 Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Waco, TX.