Moving from Brownsville, TX to Waco, TX
Relocating between Brownsville, TX and Waco, TX is a 433 mi drive β 8h 19m 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.
433 mi Β· 8h 19m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 77, I 69E, US 83 |
| Major cities en route | Mcallen, Corpus Christi, Austin, Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Brownsville | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.975 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.15 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 57.72 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco runs about 7.6% more expensive overall than Brownsville β RPP 85.975 β 92.55.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Waco ($194,245) sits close to Brownsville ($195,993) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Brownsville +2.1%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Brownsville | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 51Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 37.5" |
Expect 7.8Β°F colder year-round on the 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: WFO BROWNSVILLE, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Brownsville | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $48,675 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 30.9 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.8% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.21 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.6% higher in Waco than Brownsville.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Brownsville vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $48,675 in Brownsville β a 5.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Brownsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $33,540 in the Brownsville MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 154,580 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Brownsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $195,993 in Brownsville β a 0.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Brownsville to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 433 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Brownsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.6% higher than Brownsville (92.55 vs 85.975, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Brownsville, TX?
The driving distance is 433 mi and the route typically takes 8h 19m via US 77 and I 69E. The trip crosses 1 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 Brownsville.
City profiles: Brownsville, TX Β· Waco, TX.