Moving from Richardson, TX to Waco, TX
Relocating between Richardson, TX and Waco, TX is a 115 mi drive β 2h 10m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
115 mi Β· 2h 10m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, I 35, US 77 |
| 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
| Richardson | 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 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.2% moving from Richardson to Waco β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $440,400 in Richardson to $194,245 in Waco, a 10.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Richardson -2.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richardson | 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" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 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 1991β2020 (stations: RICHARDSON, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richardson | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 118,269 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $96,257 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.1% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.2% β $96,257 β $51,468 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Richardson to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 115 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Richardson?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,440 in the Richardson 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.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Richardson?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $440,400 in Richardson β a 55.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Waco more expensive than Richardson?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 10.2% lower than Richardson (92.55 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Richardson, TX?
The driving distance is 115 mi and the route typically takes 2h 10m via I 35E and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Richardson vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $96,257 in Richardson β a 46.5% 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 Richardson.
City profiles: Richardson, TX Β· Waco, TX.