Moving from Huntsville, AL to Waco, TX
Relocating 760 mi from Huntsville to Waco is a 13h 53m drive through 5 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
760 mi · 13h 53m by car · AL → MS → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AL → MS → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney, Garland, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Huntsville | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.072 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.931 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.397 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.946 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 93.072 vs 92.55 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.6% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $287,569 to $194,245 moving to Waco.
YoY change: Huntsville +0.2%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Huntsville | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.4" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.3" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Huntsville (62.9°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: HUNTSVILLE INTL AP, AL US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Huntsville | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $70,778 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.6% — $70,778 → $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 Alabama 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
Winter driving along this route
- 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 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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Waco more expensive than Huntsville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 0.6% lower than Huntsville (92.55 vs 93.072, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Huntsville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $49,440 in the Huntsville MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 250,940 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from Huntsville, AL?
The driving distance is 760 mi and the route typically takes 13h 53m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Huntsville and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 62.9°F in Huntsville (3.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.4 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 54.3 in.
When is the best time to move from Huntsville 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 760 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Huntsville vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $70,778 in Huntsville — a 27.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Huntsville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $287,569 in Huntsville — a 32.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Huntsville.
City profiles: Huntsville, AL · Waco, TX.