Moving from Peoria, IL to Waco, TX
It is 901 mi between Peoria and Waco — roughly 16h 49m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
901 mi · 16h 49m by car · TX → OK → MO → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK → MO → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Grand Prairie, Arlington, Dallas, Mesquite, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Peoria | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.231 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.504 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 63.763 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Peoria and Waco sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $128,838 in Peoria to $194,245 in Waco, a 1.4% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Peoria +7.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Peoria | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 26.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.6" | 37.5" |
Annual temperature rises 13.9°F moving to Waco per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Waco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: PEORIA GTR PEORIA AP, IL US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Peoria | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,126 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $58,716 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.8 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.68 |
Households in Waco earn about 1.4% less at the median — 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 Illinois 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (13.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Peoria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 1.4% higher than Peoria (92.55 vs 91.231, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Peoria, IL?
The driving distance is 901 mi and the route typically takes 16h 49m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Peoria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $46,610 in the Peoria MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 165,240 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Peoria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $128,838 in Peoria — a 50.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Peoria vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $58,716 in Peoria — a 12.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Peoria and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 52.7°F in Peoria (13.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 26.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 37.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Peoria 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 901 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Peoria.
City profiles: Peoria, IL · Waco, TX.