Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Waco, TX
The drive from Sandy Springs, GA to Waco, TX runs 836 mi β about 15h 32m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
836 mi Β· 15h 32m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Shreveport, Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sandy Springs | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco is 7.5% cheaper than Sandy Springs overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 7.5% below Sandy Springs β $691,063 vs $194,245 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sandy Springs | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 37.5" |
Climate warms by 5.1Β°F on the annual average β 61.5Β°F β 66.6Β°F.
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sandy Springs | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $101,593 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.8% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.5% between Sandy Springs and Waco (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 Georgia 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Waco compare to Sandy Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Sandy Springs to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 836 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Sandy Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β a 71.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Waco, TX from Sandy Springs, GA?
The driving distance is 836 mi and the route typically takes 15h 32m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Sandy Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.5% lower than Sandy Springs (92.55 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sandy Springs vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β a 49.3% 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 Sandy Springs.
City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Waco, TX.