Moving from Killeen, TX to Waco, TX
Moving from Killeen, TX to Waco, TX covers 61 mi and about 1h 13m 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.
61 mi · 1h 13m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 190, I 35, I 14 |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Killeen | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.132 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.242 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 77.884 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Killeen (91.132) and Waco (92.55) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Waco ZHVI at $194,245 is 1.6% below Killeen at $219,957.
YoY change: Killeen -1.3%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Killeen | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 96°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.8" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: KILLEEN, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Killeen | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,144 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $58,339 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 30 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 1.6% below Killeen ($58,339 → $51,468, 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 far is Waco, TX from Killeen, TX?
The driving distance is 61 mi and the route typically takes 1h 13m via US 190 and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Killeen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $42,230 in the Killeen MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 147,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Waco more expensive than Killeen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 1.6% higher than Killeen (92.55 vs 91.132, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Killeen 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 61 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Killeen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $219,957 in Killeen — a 11.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Killeen vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $58,339 in Killeen — a 11.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Killeen.
City profiles: Killeen, TX · Waco, TX.