Moving from Rochester, NY to Waco, TX
Moving from Rochester, NY to Waco, TX is a 1533 mi cross-country relocation — about 28h 1m of driving through 7 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.
1533 mi · 28h 1m by car · NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NY → PA → OH → KY → TN → AR → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 30, I 71 |
| Major cities en route | Buffalo, Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Dayton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rochester | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 97.035 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 133.213 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 99.693 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 87.481 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco and Rochester are close on the overall BEA RPP (97.035 vs 92.55); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 4.6% lower in Waco than Rochester as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Rochester +3.0%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rochester | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 19°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 102.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.1" | 37.5" |
NOAA normals show Waco running 17.1°F above Rochester on the annual mean.
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: ROCHESTER GTR INTL AP, NY US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,720 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $46,628 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.3% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 4.6% above Rochester ($46,628 → $51,468, 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 New York 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
- Lake-effect off Lake Ontario can shut down I-81 and I-90 for hours in winter — check 511NY.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.1°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 the job market in Waco compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,500 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 493,220 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $46,628 in Rochester — a 10.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $235,784 in Rochester — a 17.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Rochester and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 49.5°F in Rochester (17.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 102.0 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 35.1 in.
Is Waco more expensive than Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 4.6% lower than Rochester (92.55 vs 97.035, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Rochester, NY?
The driving distance is 1533 mi and the route typically takes 28h 1m via I 40 and I 30. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester 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 1533 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, NY · Waco, TX.