Moving from Waco, TX to Carrollton, TX
Moving from Waco, TX to Carrollton, TX covers 118 mi and about 2h 15m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
118 mi Β· 2h 15m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, I 35, US 77 |
| Major cities en route | Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Dallas, Garland, Arlington |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Carrollton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.4% pricier overall in Carrollton than Waco on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Carrollton typical home at $406,040 is 11.4% above Waco at $194,245 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Carrollton -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 41.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.6Β°F vs 65.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, RICHARDSON, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Carrollton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 132,741 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $99,115 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 38.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 29.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Carrollton is 11.4% above Waco ($51,468 vs $99,115, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carrollton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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 Carrollton average 94Β°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
How does the job market in Carrollton compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Carrollton MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Carrollton compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $406,040 in Carrollton vs $194,245 in Waco β a 109.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Carrollton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $99,115 in Carrollton vs $51,468 in Waco β a 92.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Carrollton more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carrollton is 11.4% higher than Waco (103.09 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Carrollton, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 118 mi and the route typically takes 2h 15m via I 35E and I 35. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Carrollton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 118 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 Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX Β· Carrollton, TX.