Moving from Round Rock, TX to Waco, TX
Moving from Round Rock, TX to Waco, TX covers 85 mi and about 1h 41m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
85 mi · 1h 41m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Austin |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Round Rock | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.066 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.044 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.361 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 98.066 to 92.55, putting Waco roughly 5.6% below Round Rock on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Waco: 5.6% below Round Rock on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Round Rock -5.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
Climate normals not available (no NOAA station within range for one city).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Round Rock | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,288 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $97,187 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 36.2 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.1% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 5.6% below Round Rock ($97,187 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Waco, TX from Round Rock, TX?
The driving distance is 85 mi and the route typically takes 1h 41m via I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Waco more expensive than Round Rock?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 5.6% lower than Round Rock (92.55 vs 98.066, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Round Rock?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $407,077 in Round Rock — a 52.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Round Rock vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $97,187 in Round Rock — a 47.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Round Rock?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $50,070 in the Round Rock MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,235,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Round Rock 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 85 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 Round Rock.
City profiles: Round Rock, TX · Waco, TX.