Moving from Springfield, IL to Waco, TX
A move from Springfield, IL to Waco, TX covers 825 mi and around 15h 24m of driving through 4 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.
825 mi Β· 15h 24m by car Β· TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 44, US 69, US 75 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Dallas, Mesquite, Irving |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Waco and Springfield is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 0.2% above Springfield ($194,245 vs $163,198 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 37.5" |
Waco runs 13.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.9Β°F vs 66.6Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.68 |
Median household income in Waco is 0.2% below Springfield ($65,537 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.
Moving between Illinois 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 (13.7Β°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 Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 825 mi and the route typically takes 15h 24m via I 44 and US 69. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 21.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Waco more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 0.2% lower than Springfield (92.55 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 19.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 825 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Waco, TX.