Moving from Waco, TX to Midland, TX
It is a 324 mi drive, roughly 6h 9m, between Waco, TX and Midland, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
324 mi · 6h 9m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 84, TX 158, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Odessa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Midland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 95.783 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 83.24 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 101.497 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 92.55 vs 95.783 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 3.5% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $194,245 to $328,325 moving to Midland.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Midland +2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 13.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and Midland (65.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Midland averages 1.9 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 133,998 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $91,169 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.54 |
Midland households earn about 3.5% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $91,169 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Midland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 17,160 | $49,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,010 | $48,020 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,250 | $45,440 |
| Management Occupations | 10,010 | $126,770 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 9,680 | $56,990 |
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 Midland average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Midland sees only 13.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Midland compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $328,325 in Midland vs $194,245 in Waco — a 69.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Midland, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 324 mi and the route typically takes 6h 9m via US 84 and TX 158. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Midland more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Midland is 3.5% higher than Waco (95.783 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Midland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 324 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 Midland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Midland vs 66.6°F in Waco (1.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.6 in vs 37.5 in.
How does the job market in Midland compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,470 in the Midland MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 114,810 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 Midland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,169 in Midland vs $51,468 in Waco — a 77.1% higher 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Midland, TX.