Moving from Waco, TX to Irvine, CA
Relocating 1410 mi from Waco to Irvine is a 24h 47m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1410 mi · 24h 47m 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 | Costa Mesa, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Irvine | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Irvine is 22.7% above Waco — one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
22.7% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Irvine -0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 85°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 14.1" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Irvine — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Irvine |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 308,160 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $129,647 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 33.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 39.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 22.7% — $51,468 → $129,647 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Irvine MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Dry climate: Irvine sees only 14.1 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Irvine, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1410 mi and the route typically takes 24h 47m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Irvine compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Irvine MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Irvine?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $129,647 in Irvine vs $51,468 in Waco — a 151.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Irvine?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1410 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Irvine?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.9°F in Irvine vs 66.6°F in Waco (1.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 37.5 in.
How much do homes cost in Irvine compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,557,982 in Irvine vs $194,245 in Waco — a 702.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Irvine more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Irvine is 22.7% higher than Waco (113.566 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Irvine, CA.