Moving from Sterling Heights, MI to Waco, TX
It is 1298 mi between Sterling Heights and Waco — roughly 23h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 7 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1298 mi · 23h 31m by car · TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → AR → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 30, I 57, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Grand Prairie, Irving, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sterling Heights | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.7% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Waco at 92.55 vs Sterling Heights at 100.298.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.7% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $306,785 to $194,245 moving to Waco.
YoY change: Sterling Heights +3.5%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sterling Heights | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 49°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 18°F | 36°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 32.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.0" | 37.5" |
Expect 17.9°F warmer on average per year — plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: MT CLEMENS ANG BASE, MI US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sterling Heights | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 133,473 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $78,429 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 41.5 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.5% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.68 |
Waco households earn about 7.7% less than Sterling Heights at the median — $78,429 → $51,468 on 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 Michigan 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 snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
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 (17.9°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
What is the climate difference between Sterling Heights and Waco?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.6°F in Waco vs 48.7°F in Sterling Heights (17.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 32.2 in. Annual precipitation: 37.5 in vs 35.0 in.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Sterling Heights?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $48,950 in the Sterling Heights MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Sterling Heights?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $306,785 in Sterling Heights — a 36.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Sterling Heights vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $78,429 in Sterling Heights — a 34.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sterling Heights 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 1298 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Waco more expensive than Sterling Heights?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 7.7% lower than Sterling Heights (92.55 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Sterling Heights, MI?
The driving distance is 1298 mi and the route typically takes 23h 31m via I 30 and I 57. The trip crosses 7 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 Sterling Heights.
City profiles: Sterling Heights, MI · Waco, TX.