Moving from McAllen, TX to Waco, TX
Moving from McAllen, TX to Waco, TX covers 407 mi and about 7h 40m 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.
407 mi · 7h 40m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 281, I 69C, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| McAllen | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 85.895 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 81.186 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 55.892 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 7.7% pricier overall in Waco than McAllen on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 7.7% lower in Waco than McAllen as of 2026-03.
YoY change: McAllen +0.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | McAllen | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.7" | 37.5" |
Waco is 8.9°F cooler on the annual average (75.5°F vs 66.6°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Waco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MCALLEN, TX US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | McAllen | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,789 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $60,165 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.3% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.98 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 7.7% below McAllen ($60,165 → $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 does household income compare in McAllen vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $60,165 in McAllen — a 14.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from McAllen 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 407 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than McAllen?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.7% higher than McAllen (92.55 vs 85.895, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Waco compare to McAllen?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $32,550 in the McAllen MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 285,850 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between McAllen and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 75.5°F in McAllen (8.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 18.7 in.
How far is Waco, TX from McAllen, TX?
The driving distance is 407 mi and the route typically takes 7h 40m via US 281 and I 69C. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to McAllen?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $229,001 in McAllen — a 15.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from McAllen.
City profiles: McAllen, TX · Waco, TX.