Moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Waco, TX
A move from Santa Clarita, CA to Waco, TX covers 1455 mi and around 25h 38m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1455 mi · 25h 38m 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 | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clarita | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Waco are 18.5% below Santa Clarita — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Waco typical home at $194,245 is 18.5% under Santa Clarita at $802,016 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Santa Clarita -2.2%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Santa Clarita | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.8" | 37.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.5°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: NEWHALL 5NW, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clarita | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,021 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $119,926 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 18.5% below Santa Clarita ($119,926 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.
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
How does household income compare in Santa Clarita vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $119,926 in Santa Clarita — a 57.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Santa Clarita?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $802,016 in Santa Clarita — a 75.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Waco more expensive than Santa Clarita?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 18.5% lower than Santa Clarita (92.55 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Santa Clarita, CA?
The driving distance is 1455 mi and the route typically takes 25h 38m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Santa Clarita and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 65.5°F in Santa Clarita (1.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 16.8 in.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clarita 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 1455 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 Santa Clarita?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Clarita MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Clarita.
City profiles: Santa Clarita, CA · Waco, TX.