Moving from Waco, TX to Anaheim, CA
It is 1399 mi between Waco and Anaheim — roughly 24h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 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.
1399 mi · 24h 36m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Anaheim is 22.7% more expensive than Waco on the BEA RPP — expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $194,245 in Waco to $950,504 in Anaheim, a 22.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 13.5" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.6°F vs 67.7°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Anaheim sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.26 |
Anaheim households earn about 22.7% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $90,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Waco vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $51,468 in Waco — a 76.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1399 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 22.7% higher than Waco (113.566 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1399 mi and the route typically takes 24h 36m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $194,245 in Waco — a 389.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Anaheim?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 67.7°F in Anaheim vs 66.6°F in Waco (1.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.5 in vs 37.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Anaheim, CA.