Moving from Little Rock, AR to Waco, TX
Relocating between Little Rock, AR and Waco, TX is a 411 mi drive — 7h 16m 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.
411 mi · 7h 16m by car · AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, US 70, I 35E |
| Major cities en route | Mckinney, Allen, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Little Rock | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 89.364 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.635 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.577 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 68.295 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 89.364 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 around 3.6% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Little Rock +2.2%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Little Rock | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 31°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 3.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Little Rock (61.7°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: LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Little Rock | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $60,583 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.33 | 2.68 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.6% lower in Waco than Little Rock.
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 Arkansas 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.
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
When is the best time to move from Little Rock 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 411 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Little Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 3.6% higher than Little Rock (92.55 vs 89.364, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Little Rock and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 61.7°F in Little Rock (4.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 3.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 50.4 in.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Little Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 345,890 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Little Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $216,519 in Little Rock — a 10.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Little Rock vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $60,583 in Little Rock — a 15.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Little Rock, AR?
The driving distance is 411 mi and the route typically takes 7h 16m via I 30 and US 70. The trip crosses 2 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 Little Rock.
City profiles: Little Rock, AR · Waco, TX.