Moving from Renton, WA to Waco, TX
Moving from Renton, WA to Waco, TX is a 2142 mi cross-country relocation β about 37h 55m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2142 mi Β· 37h 55m by car Β· TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β CO β WY β UT β ID β OR β WA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 287, I 84, I 80 |
| Major cities en route | Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Renton | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.133 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 92.814 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.972 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.314 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 111.133 to 92.55, putting Waco roughly 16.7% below Renton on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Waco: 16.7% below Renton on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Renton -2.1%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Renton | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 54Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 37.5" |
Waco runs 13.0Β°F warmer on the annual average (53.6Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Waco β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RENTON MUNI AP, WA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Renton | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,279 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $96,626 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.55 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 16.7% below Renton ($96,626 vs $51,468, 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 Washington 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
- Snoqualmie Pass on I-90 and White Pass on US-12 see frequent chain requirements December through March β check WSDOT mountain passes report.
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 (13.0Β°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 household income compare in Renton vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $96,626 in Renton β a 46.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Renton?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $764,375 in Renton β a 74.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Waco more expensive than Renton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 16.7% lower than Renton (92.55 vs 111.133, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Renton to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2142 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Waco, TX from Renton, WA?
The driving distance is 2142 mi and the route typically takes 37h 55m via US 287 and I 84. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Renton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $65,260 in the Renton MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 2,079,090 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Renton.
City profiles: Renton, WA Β· Waco, TX.