Moving from Waco, TX to Wichita, KS
It is a 449 mi drive, roughly 7h 56m, between Waco, TX and Wichita, KS. 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.
449 mi · 7h 56m by car · KS → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, OK 9 |
| Major cities en route | Oklahoma City, Norman, Denton, Frisco, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Wichita | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 88.946 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 88.459 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 94.027 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 66.245 | 100.0 |
Waco and Wichita sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Wichita ($202,720) sits close to Waco ($194,245) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Wichita +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 58°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 23°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 12.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 34.3" |
Annual temperature drops 8.9°F moving to Wichita per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Wichita sees 12.7 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, WICHITA, KS US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Wichita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 396,488 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $63,072 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 19.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.52 |
Wichita households earn about 3.9% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $63,072 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Wichita MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 36,200 | $38,160 |
| Production Occupations | 30,560 | $49,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 26,850 | $27,770 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 25,880 | $31,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,580 | $37,870 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Kansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Kansas'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
- Winter gear first: Wichita averages 12.7 in of snow per year on NOAA normals — pack a heavy coat, boots, and consider snow tires or chains before the first storm.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Wichita 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 Kansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Wichita compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $202,720 in Wichita vs $194,245 in Waco — a 4.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Wichita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 449 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Wichita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,072 in Wichita vs $51,468 in Waco — a 22.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Wichita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 57.7°F in Wichita vs 66.6°F in Waco (8.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 12.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 34.3 in vs 37.5 in.
How does the job market in Wichita compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,790 in the Wichita MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 303,910 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Wichita more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Wichita is 3.9% lower than Waco (88.946 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Wichita, KS from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 449 mi and the route typically takes 7h 56m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Wichita, KS.