Moving from Rialto, CA to Waco, TX
Relocating 1377 mi from Rialto to Waco is a 24h 9m drive through 4 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1377 mi Β· 24h 9m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β 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
| Rialto | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Expect about 13.1% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Waco at 92.55 vs Rialto at 106.442.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 13.1% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $588,566 to $194,245 moving to Waco.
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rialto | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 37.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Rialto (66.6Β°F) and Waco (66.6Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.68 |
Expect median household income to fall 13.1% β $85,521 β $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 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
- 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 95Β°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
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1377 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $588,566 in Rialto β a 67.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Waco, TX from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 1377 mi and the route typically takes 24h 9m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $85,521 in Rialto β a 39.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Waco more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 13.1% lower than Rialto (92.55 vs 106.442, 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 Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA Β· Waco, TX.