Moving from College Station, TX to Waco, TX
Moving from College Station, TX to Waco, TX covers 96 mi and about 1h 52m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
96 mi · 1h 52m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | TX 6, US 190, US 79 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| College Station | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.951 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.39 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 75.088 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Waco and College Station is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 1.8% below College Station — $349,041 vs $194,245 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: College Station +0.5%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | College Station | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 69°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | — | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in College Station (69.4°F) and Waco (66.6°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: COLLEGE STN, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | College Station | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,280 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $51,776 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 22.9 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.74 | 2.68 |
Median household incomes in College Station ($51,776) and Waco ($51,468) are within a few percent (ACS 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.
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Waco average 95°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 the job market in Waco compare to College Station?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $42,710 in the College Station MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 128,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in College Station vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $51,776 in College Station — a 0.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from College Station to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 96 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than College Station?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 1.8% higher than College Station (92.55 vs 90.951, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from College Station, TX?
The driving distance is 96 mi and the route typically takes 1h 52m via TX 6 and US 190. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to College Station?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $349,041 in College Station — a 44.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from College Station.
City profiles: College Station, TX · Waco, TX.