Moving from Riverside, CA to Waco, TX
It is 1374 mi between Riverside and Waco — roughly 24h 4m 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.
1374 mi · 24h 4m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Irvine, Ontario, Corona, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Riverside | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 13.1% cheaper overall in Waco than Riverside on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.1% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 13.1% less than Riverside at the median — $88,575 → $51,468 on ACS 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 — 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.
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 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 Riverside 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 1374 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 Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside 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 Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 13.1% lower than Riverside (92.55 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Riverside, CA?
The driving distance is 1374 mi and the route typically takes 24h 4m 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 Riverside vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 41.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 70.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Riverside and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 66.9°F in Riverside (0.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 10.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Waco, TX.