Moving from Waco, TX to Norman, OK
Relocating between Waco, TX and Norman, OK is a 282 mi drive — 5h 9m 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.
282 mi · 5h 9m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Norman | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 90.408 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 74.067 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.778 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 73.885 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.3% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Norman +2.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 61°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 28°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 4.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 37.7" |
Expect 5.9°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Light snow year: Norman gets around 4.1 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, NORMAN 3SSE, OK US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Norman |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 128,714 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $65,060 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 24.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.5 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.3% — $51,468 → $65,060 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norman MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 91,690 | $40,050 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 68,430 | $26,100 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 60,820 | $36,060 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 59,770 | $34,460 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 43,490 | $76,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Oklahoma
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Oklahoma'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.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Norman average 93°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Tornado season peaks April through June — identify a safe room or interior space in the new home on day one.
- 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 Oklahoma after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Norman compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,030 in the Norman MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 656,800 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Norman compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,839 in Norman vs $194,245 in Waco — a 35.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Norman?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,060 in Norman vs $51,468 in Waco — a 26.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Norman, OK from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 282 mi and the route typically takes 5h 9m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Norman more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norman is 2.3% lower than Waco (90.408 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Norman?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 60.7°F in Norman vs 66.6°F in Waco (5.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 4.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.7 in vs 37.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Norman?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 282 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Norman, OK.