Moving from Waco, TX to Burbank, CA
It is 1434 mi between Waco and Burbank — roughly 25h 11m 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.
1434 mi · 25h 11m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, TX 158, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Killeen, Midland, Odessa, El Paso, Las Cruces |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Burbank | 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 |
BEA RPP climbs from 92.55 in Waco to 113.566 in Burbank, putting overall prices 22.7% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.7% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $194,245 to $1,200,885 moving to Burbank.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Burbank -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 16.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and Burbank (64.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Burbank 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: WACO DAM, TX US, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Burbank |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 105,165 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $95,816 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 39.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 31% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.44 |
Burbank households earn about 22.7% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $95,816 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Burbank 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- 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 much do homes cost in Burbank compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,200,885 in Burbank vs $194,245 in Waco — a 518.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Burbank compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Burbank 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.
How far is Burbank, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1434 mi and the route typically takes 25h 11m via I 10 and TX 158. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Burbank?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1434 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Burbank?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $95,816 in Burbank vs $51,468 in Waco — a 86.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Burbank more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Burbank is 22.7% higher than Waco (113.566 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Burbank?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 64.5°F in Burbank vs 66.6°F in Waco (2.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.5 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 · Burbank, CA.