Moving from Plano, TX to Waco, TX
Moving from Plano, TX to Waco, TX covers 121 mi and about 2h 20m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
121 mi Β· 2h 20m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, US 75, FM 3051 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Lewisville, Mckinney, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Plano | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 103.09 to 92.55, putting Waco roughly 10.2% below Plano on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Waco: 10.2% below Plano on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Plano -5.3%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Plano | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Plano | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 287,339 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $108,649 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 39.3 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 10.2% below Plano ($108,649 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Plano to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 121 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 Plano, TX?
The driving distance is 121 mi and the route typically takes 2h 20m via I 35E and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Plano vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $108,649 in Plano β a 52.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Plano?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,440 in the Plano MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Waco more expensive than Plano?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 10.2% lower than Plano (92.55 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Plano?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $498,989 in Plano β a 61.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Plano.
City profiles: Plano, TX Β· Waco, TX.