Moving from Waco, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
It is a 307 mi drive, roughly 5h 52m, between Waco, TX and Corpus Christi, TX. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
307 mi Β· 5h 52m by car Β· TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 183, US 77 ALT, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Austin, Round Rock, Killeen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Corpus Christi | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 92.671 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 80.991 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 84.905 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.1% above Waco β $194,245 β $223,502 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Corpus Christi -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | Corpus Christi |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 72Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 34.1" |
Annual temperature rises 5.3Β°F moving to Corpus Christi per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, PORT ARANSAS 11 SSW, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Corpus Christi |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 317,383 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $66,325 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 15.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.69 |
Corpus Christi households earn about 0.1% more than Waco at the median β $51,468 β $66,325 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Corpus Christi MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,840 | $37,700 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 21,400 | $27,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 15,380 | $31,420 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,070 | $37,120 |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 14,050 | $47,300 |
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
- 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 far is Corpus Christi, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 307 mi and the route typically takes 5h 52m via US 183 and US 77 ALT. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Corpus Christi compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,570 in the Corpus Christi MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 187,350 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Corpus Christi more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Corpus Christi is 0.1% higher than Waco (92.671 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Corpus Christi?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,325 in Corpus Christi vs $51,468 in Waco β a 28.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Corpus Christi?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 307 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Corpus Christi compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $223,502 in Corpus Christi vs $194,245 in Waco β a 15.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX Β· Corpus Christi, TX.