Moving from Waco, TX to Laredo, TX
Relocating between Waco, TX and Laredo, TX is a 335 mi drive — 6h 4m 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.
335 mi · 6h 4m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 27, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 6.0% moving from Waco to Laredo — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Laredo run about 6.0% pricier — ZHVI $194,245 → $220,331 (2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 19.7" |
Expect 8.4°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to rise 6.0% — $51,468 → $63,264 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
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 Laredo average 100°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
Is Laredo more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 6.0% lower than Waco (86.956 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $51,468 in Waco — a 22.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 66.6°F in Waco (8.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 37.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 335 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Laredo, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 335 mi and the route typically takes 6h 4m via I 35 and I 27. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $194,245 in Waco — a 13.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Laredo, TX.