Moving from Minneapolis, MN to Waco, TX
The drive from Minneapolis, MN to Waco, TX runs 1075 mi β about 19h 2m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1075 mi Β· 19h 2m by car Β· MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | MN β IA β MO β KS β OK β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, I 35W, I 470 |
| Major cities en route | St Paul, Des Moines, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Minneapolis | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.822 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.493 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.065 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.838 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Waco are 11.7% below Minneapolis β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Waco typical home at $194,245 is 11.7% under Minneapolis at $330,882 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Minneapolis +1.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Minneapolis | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 46Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 8Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.4" | 37.5" |
NOAA normals show Waco running 20.8Β°F above Minneapolis 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 1991β2020 (stations: LOWER ST ANTHONY FALLS, MN US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Minneapolis | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 426,845 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $80,269 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 11.7% between Minneapolis and Waco (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.
Moving between Minnesota 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% 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-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
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 95Β°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 (20.8Β°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 does the job market in Waco compare to Minneapolis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $54,850 in the Minneapolis MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,911,030 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Minneapolis vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $80,269 in Minneapolis β a 35.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from Minneapolis, MN?
The driving distance is 1075 mi and the route typically takes 19h 2m via I 35 and I 35W. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Minneapolis to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1075 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Minneapolis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 11.7% lower than Minneapolis (92.55 vs 104.822, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Minneapolis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $330,882 in Minneapolis β a 41.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Minneapolis.
City profiles: Minneapolis, MN Β· Waco, TX.