Moving from Waco, TX to Austin, TX
Moving from Waco, TX to Austin, TX covers 102 mi and about 1h 56m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
102 mi · 1h 56m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35, LOOP 1, EXPRESS 1 TOLL |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 92.55 in Waco to 98.066 in Austin, a 6.0% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Austin: 6.0% above Waco on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 42°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 36.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Austin — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.2 |
Median household income in Austin is 6.0% above Waco ($51,468 vs $91,461, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Austin average 97°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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Waco to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 102 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $194,245 in Waco — a 161.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Austin more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 6.0% higher than Waco (98.066 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Austin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.0°F in Austin vs 66.6°F in Waco (3.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 36.3 in vs 37.5 in.
How far is Austin, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 102 mi and the route typically takes 1h 56m via I 35 and LOOP 1. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $51,468 in Waco — a 77.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Austin, TX.