Moving from Chicago, IL to Waco, TX
Relocating 1062 mi from Chicago to Waco is a 18h 54m drive through 4 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.
1062 mi Β· 18h 54m by car Β· IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Joliet, Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.7% cheaper overall in Waco than Chicago on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 37.5" |
Annual average temperature gap of 15.8Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.7% β $75,134 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 Illinois 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.8Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1062 mi and the route typically takes 18h 54m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1062 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 Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 31.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 38.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Waco more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 10.7% lower than Chicago (92.55 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Waco, TX.