Moving from Milwaukee, WI to Waco, TX
A move from Milwaukee, WI to Waco, TX covers 1106 mi and around 20h 29m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1106 mi · 20h 29m by car · WI → IL → MO → OK → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | WI → IL → MO → OK → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Rockford, Springfield, St Louis, Springfield, Broken Arrow |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Milwaukee | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 96.937 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 91.59 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 97.111 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco and Milwaukee are close on the overall BEA RPP (96.937 vs 92.55); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 4.5% lower in Waco than Milwaukee as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Milwaukee +3.6%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Milwaukee | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 48°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 39.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 33.8" | 37.5" |
NOAA normals show Waco running 18.3°F above Milwaukee on the annual mean.
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: MT MARY COLLEGE, WI US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Milwaukee | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 569,756 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $51,888 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.47 | 2.68 |
Household income lines up — $51,888 vs $51,468 on ACS 5-year 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 Wisconsin 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
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin — check 511wi.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.3°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Milwaukee?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $220,137 in Milwaukee — a 11.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Waco, TX from Milwaukee, WI?
The driving distance is 1106 mi and the route typically takes 20h 29m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Milwaukee?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,460 in the Milwaukee MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 814,950 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Milwaukee 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 1106 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Milwaukee vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $51,888 in Milwaukee — a 0.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Waco more expensive than Milwaukee?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 4.5% lower than Milwaukee (92.55 vs 96.937, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Milwaukee and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 48.3°F in Milwaukee (18.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 39.5 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 33.8 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Milwaukee.
City profiles: Milwaukee, WI · Waco, TX.