Moving from Waco, TX to Costa Mesa, CA
It is 1413 mi between Waco and Costa Mesa β roughly 24h 56m 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.
1413 mi Β· 24h 56m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β 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 | Costa Mesa | 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 |
Costa Mesa is 22.7% more expensive than Waco on the BEA RPP β expect rent and services to carry most of that gap.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $194,245 in Waco to $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa, a 22.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Costa Mesa +3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 11.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 66.6Β°F vs 64.9Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Costa Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 110,538 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $110,073 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 36.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 30.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.66 |
Costa Mesa households earn about 22.7% more than Waco at the median β $51,468 β $110,073 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Costa Mesa 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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
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
- Dry climate: Costa Mesa sees only 11.2 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 β 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
Is Costa Mesa more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Costa Mesa 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 does household income compare in Waco vs Costa Mesa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $110,073 in Costa Mesa vs $51,468 in Waco β a 113.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Costa Mesa compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Costa Mesa 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 much do homes cost in Costa Mesa compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa vs $194,245 in Waco β a 627.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Costa Mesa, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1413 mi and the route typically takes 24h 56m 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 Costa Mesa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1413 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· Costa Mesa, CA.