Moving from Pasadena, CA to Waco, TX
Relocating 1421 mi from Pasadena to Waco is a 24h 59m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1421 mi · 24h 59m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 158, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pasadena | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 18.5% moving from Pasadena to Waco — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,209,228 in Pasadena to $194,245 in Waco, a 18.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Pasadena -1.0%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Pasadena | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 89°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 20.1" | 37.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.0°F vs 66.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
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: PASADENA, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pasadena | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,462 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $103,778 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.39 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 18.5% — $103,778 → $51,468 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 California 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- 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 far is Waco, TX from Pasadena, CA?
The driving distance is 1421 mi and the route typically takes 24h 59m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Pasadena?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $50,490 in the Pasadena MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Pasadena 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 1421 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Pasadena vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $103,778 in Pasadena — a 50.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Pasadena?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $1,209,228 in Pasadena — a 83.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Pasadena and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 66.0°F in Pasadena (0.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 20.1 in.
Is Waco more expensive than Pasadena?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 18.5% lower than Pasadena (92.55 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pasadena.
City profiles: Pasadena, CA · Waco, TX.