Moving from South Fulton, GA to Waco, TX
The drive from South Fulton, GA to Waco, TX runs 819 mi — about 15h 15m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
819 mi · 15h 15m by car · TX → LA → MS → AL → GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → LA → MS → AL → GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Tyler, Shreveport, Jackson, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| South Fulton | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 100.058 to 92.55, putting Waco roughly 7.5% below South Fulton on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
YoY change: South Fulton —, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | South Fulton | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 2.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 50.4" | 37.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Waco — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ATLANTA HARTSFIELD INTL AP, GA US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | South Fulton | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,157 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $81,798 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.76 | 2.68 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 7.5% between South Fulton and Waco (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 Georgia 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.
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
What is the climate difference between South Fulton and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 63.6°F in South Fulton (3.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 2.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 50.4 in.
When is the best time to move from South Fulton 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 819 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than South Fulton?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.5% lower than South Fulton (92.55 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Waco compare to South Fulton?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,370 in the South Fulton MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in South Fulton vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $81,798 in South Fulton — a 37.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Waco, TX from South Fulton, GA?
The driving distance is 819 mi and the route typically takes 15h 15m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from South Fulton.
City profiles: South Fulton, GA · Waco, TX.