Moving from Cincinnati, OH to Waco, TX
It is 1036 mi between Cincinnati and Waco β roughly 18h 34m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1036 mi Β· 18h 34m by car Β· OH β KY β TN β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β KY β TN β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cincinnati | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.37 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.954 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.751 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.608 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
3.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Cincinnati +1.7%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cincinnati | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 24Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.4" | 37.5" |
Annual temperature rises 11.8Β°F moving to Waco per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CINCINNATI LUNKEN AP, OH US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cincinnati | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $51,707 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.17 | 2.68 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 Ohio 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.
Winter driving along this route
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
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 (11.8Β°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 does the job market in Waco compare to Cincinnati?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $47,280 in the Cincinnati MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,081,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Cincinnati vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $51,707 in Cincinnati β a 0.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Cincinnati to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1036 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Waco, TX from Cincinnati, OH?
The driving distance is 1036 mi and the route typically takes 18h 34m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Cincinnati?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 3.0% lower than Cincinnati (92.55 vs 95.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Cincinnati?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $249,568 in Cincinnati β a 22.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cincinnati.
City profiles: Cincinnati, OH Β· Waco, TX.