Moving from Richmond, VA to Waco, TX
It is 1375 mi between Richmond and Waco — roughly 24h 42m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1375 mi · 24h 42m by car · VA → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, US 70 |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Mckinney |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.858 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.221 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.773 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 99.136 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 5.4% moving from Richmond 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 $369,646 in Richmond to $194,245 in Waco, a 5.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Richmond +1.4%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Richmond | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 29°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 8.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 45.5" | 37.5" |
Annual temperature rises 7.7°F moving to Waco per NOAA 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: RICHMOND INTL AP, VA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 227,595 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $62,671 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.23 | 2.68 |
Households in Waco earn about 5.4% less at the median — 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 Virginia 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
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
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 does household income compare in Richmond vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $62,671 in Richmond — a 17.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Richmond and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 58.9°F in Richmond (7.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 8.8 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 45.5 in.
Is Waco more expensive than Richmond?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 5.4% lower than Richmond (92.55 vs 97.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Richmond, VA?
The driving distance is 1375 mi and the route typically takes 24h 42m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,470 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 647,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $369,646 in Richmond — a 47.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Richmond 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 1375 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, VA · Waco, TX.