Moving from Norman, OK to Waco, TX
It is a 282 mi drive, roughly 5h 9m, between Norman, OK and Waco, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
282 mi · 5h 9m by car · TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, US 77, I 35W |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norman | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.4% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norman | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 37.5" |
Annual temperature rises 5.9°F moving to Waco per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 2.4% less than Norman at the median — $65,060 → $51,468 on 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 Oklahoma 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
Is Waco more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 2.4% higher than Norman (92.55 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Norman 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 282 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 Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $262,839 in Norman — a 26.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Norman and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 60.7°F in Norman (5.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.1 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 37.7 in.
How far is Waco, TX from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 282 mi and the route typically takes 5h 9m via I 35 and US 77. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $65,060 in Norman — a 20.9% 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 Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK · Waco, TX.