Moving from Detroit, MI to Waco, TX
It is 1278 mi between Detroit and Waco β roughly 23h 7m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 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.
1278 mi Β· 23h 7m by car Β· MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β OH β IN β IL β MO β AR β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 57 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, Toledo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Detroit | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.7% moving from Detroit 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 climbs from $75,358 in Detroit to $194,245 in Waco, a 7.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperature jumps 16.3Β°F β 50.3Β°F in Detroit vs 66.6Β°F in Waco, 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: DEARBORN #2, MI US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 7.7% more than Detroit at the median β $39,575 β $51,468 on 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.
Moving between Michigan 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
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
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 (16.3Β°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
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1278 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Detroit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $75,358 in Detroit β a 157.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 30.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Waco more expensive than Detroit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.7% lower than Detroit (92.55 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 1278 mi and the route typically takes 23h 7m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 7 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 Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· Waco, TX.