Moving from Waco, TX to Plano, TX
Moving from Waco, TX to Plano, TX covers 121 mi and about 2h 20m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
121 mi · 2h 20m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, US 75, FM 3051 |
| Major cities en route | Frisco, Denton, Lewisville, Mckinney, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Plano | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Plano is 11.4% higher than Waco, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Plano is 11.4% above Waco — $194,245 vs $498,989 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Plano -5.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 41.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and Plano (65.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Plano |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 287,339 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $108,649 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 39.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Plano is 11.4% above Waco ($51,468 vs $108,649, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Plano MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 Plano average 94°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
How does the job market in Plano compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Plano MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Plano more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Plano is 11.4% higher than Waco (103.09 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 Plano?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 121 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Plano compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $498,989 in Plano vs $194,245 in Waco — a 156.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Plano, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 121 mi and the route typically takes 2h 20m via I 35E and US 75. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Plano?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,649 in Plano vs $51,468 in Waco — a 111.1% 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 · Plano, TX.