Moving from South Bend, IN to Waco, TX
A move from South Bend, IN to Waco, TX covers 1120 mi and around 20h 3m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1120 mi Β· 20h 3m by car Β· TX β AR β MO β IL β IN
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β AR β MO β IL β IN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 57, I 30, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Grand Prairie, Arlington, Irving, Dallas, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| South Bend | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.858 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.733 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.221 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.586 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Waco and South Bend are close on the overall BEA RPP (92.858 vs 92.55); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: South Bend +4.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | South Bend | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 17Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.9" | 37.5" |
NOAA normals show Waco running 16.8Β°F above South Bend 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 1991β2020 (stations: S BEND, IN US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Bend | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,866 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $52,512 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.9% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.68 |
Household income lines up β $52,512 vs $51,468 on 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 Indiana 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.
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 (16.8Β°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 far is Waco, TX from South Bend, IN?
The driving distance is 1120 mi and the route typically takes 20h 3m via I 57 and I 30. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to South Bend?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $192,340 in South Bend β a 1.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in South Bend vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $52,512 in South Bend β a 2.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Waco more expensive than South Bend?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 0.3% lower than South Bend (92.55 vs 92.858, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from South Bend to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1120 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Waco compare to South Bend?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $44,420 in the South Bend MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 129,890 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 South Bend.
City profiles: South Bend, IN Β· Waco, TX.