Moving from Waco, TX to St. Louis, MO
A move from Waco, TX to St. Louis, MO covers 725 mi and around 13h 31m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
725 mi Β· 13h 31m by car Β· MO β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Springfield, Broken Arrow, Mckinney, Frisco, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | St. Louis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 95.088 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 69.921 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 99.996 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 79.024 | 100.0 |
St. Louis and Waco are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.55 vs 95.088); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, St. Louis β. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 58Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 25Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 43.9" |
St. Louis is 8.6Β°F cooler on the annual average (66.6Β°F vs 58.0Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, ST LOUIS SCI CTR, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 293,109 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $55,279 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 36.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 22% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.03 |
Median household income in St. Louis is 2.7% above Waco ($51,468 β $55,279, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in St. Louis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 162,150 | $43,310 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 119,600 | $29,980 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 115,380 | $39,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 108,510 | $35,500 |
| Management Occupations | 94,750 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is St. Louis, MO from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 725 mi and the route typically takes 13h 31m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Waco to St. Louis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 725 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in St. Louis compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,490 in the St. Louis MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 1,325,480 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is St. Louis more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in St. Louis is 2.7% higher than Waco (95.088 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Waco vs St. Louis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $55,279 in St. Louis vs $51,468 in Waco β a 7.4% 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 Β· St. Louis, MO.