Moving from Atlanta, GA to Waco, TX
Relocating 825 mi from Atlanta to Waco is a 15h 16m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
825 mi Β· 15h 16m by car Β· GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Jackson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Atlanta | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.5% moving from Atlanta to Waco β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $385,599 in Atlanta to $194,245 in Waco, a 7.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Atlanta -3.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Atlanta | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 37.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.3Β°F vs 66.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Waco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA FULTON CO AP, GA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Atlanta | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $81,938 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.8% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.16 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.5% β $81,938 β $51,468 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95Β°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Waco, TX from Atlanta, GA?
The driving distance is 825 mi and the route typically takes 15h 16m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Atlanta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.5% lower than Atlanta (92.55 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Atlanta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $385,599 in Atlanta β a 49.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Atlanta to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 825 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 Waco compare to Atlanta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,370 in the Atlanta MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Atlanta vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $81,938 in Atlanta β a 37.2% lower 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 Atlanta.
City profiles: Atlanta, GA Β· Waco, TX.