Moving from Grand Prairie, TX to Waco, TX
Relocating between Grand Prairie, TX and Waco, TX is a 101 mi drive β 1h 53m 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.
101 mi Β· 1h 53m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, I 20, FM 3051 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Grand Prairie | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.2% cheaper overall in Waco than Grand Prairie on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.2% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Grand Prairie -2.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Grand Prairie | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 96Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.1" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JOE POOL LAKE, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Grand Prairie | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 198,564 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $78,889 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.8% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.97 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 10.2% β $78,889 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.
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 Grand Prairie vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $78,889 in Grand Prairie β a 34.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Grand Prairie?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $316,527 in Grand Prairie β a 38.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Grand Prairie?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,440 in the Grand Prairie MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Waco more expensive than Grand Prairie?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 10.2% lower than Grand Prairie (92.55 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Grand Prairie to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 101 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 Grand Prairie, TX?
The driving distance is 101 mi and the route typically takes 1h 53m via I 35E and I 20. 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 Grand Prairie.
City profiles: Grand Prairie, TX Β· Waco, TX.