Moving from Waco, TX to Odessa, TX
Relocating between Waco, TX and Odessa, TX is a 338 mi drive — 6h 22m 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.
338 mi · 6h 22m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 158, US 84, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Odessa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 93.896 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 82.86 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 89.709 | 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
1.5% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Odessa +5.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 32°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 12.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Odessa — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, ODESSA, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Odessa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 114,080 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $73,030 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 31 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 12.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.54 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.5% — $51,468 → $73,030 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Odessa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,160 | $44,240 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 8,860 | $46,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 8,230 | $41,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 7,770 | $28,170 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 7,360 | $36,360 |
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 Odessa average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Odessa sees only 12.3 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 Odessa compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $251,239 in Odessa vs $194,245 in Waco — a 29.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Odessa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $73,030 in Odessa vs $51,468 in Waco — a 41.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Odessa more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Odessa is 1.5% higher than Waco (93.896 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Odessa compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,830 in the Odessa MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 76,440 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Odessa, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 338 mi and the route typically takes 6h 22m via TX 158 and US 84. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Odessa?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 338 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 Odessa?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.4°F in Odessa vs 66.6°F in Waco (2.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.3 in vs 37.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Odessa, TX.