Moving from San Antonio, TX to Waco, TX
Relocating between San Antonio, TX and Waco, TX is a 183 mi drive — 3h 28m 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.
183 mi · 3h 28m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 290, I 410 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Antonio | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 94.716 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.169 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.575 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.3% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: San Antonio -2.7%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Antonio | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.0" | 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: SAN ANTONIO INCARNATE WORD, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Antonio | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,458,954 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $62,917 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.7% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.3% lower in Waco than San Antonio.
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 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.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to San Antonio?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $249,810 in San Antonio — a 22.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between San Antonio and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 69.0°F in San Antonio (2.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 34.0 in.
When is the best time to move from San Antonio 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 183 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 San Antonio?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $44,390 in the San Antonio MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,091,510 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance is 183 mi and the route typically takes 3h 28m via I 35 and US 290. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than San Antonio?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 2.3% lower than San Antonio (92.55 vs 94.716, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Antonio vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $62,917 in San Antonio — a 18.2% 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 San Antonio.
City profiles: San Antonio, TX · Waco, TX.