Moving from Waco, TX to Dallas, TX
Relocating between Waco, TX and Dallas, TX is a 101 mi drive — 1h 54m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
101 mi · 1h 54m by car · TX
Distance & route
| Route through | TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 35E, FM 3051, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Carrollton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Dallas | 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 |
Expect roughly 11.4% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.4% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $194,245 to $309,421 moving to Dallas.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Dallas -3.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 68°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 38°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 97°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.7" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 38.3" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and Dallas (68.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Dallas averages 1.7 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 1,299,553 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $67,760 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.46 |
Expect median household income to rise 11.4% — $51,468 → $67,760 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dallas 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 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 Dallas 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
How much do homes cost in Dallas compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $309,421 in Dallas vs $194,245 in Waco — a 59.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dallas, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 101 mi and the route typically takes 1h 54m via I 35E and FM 3051. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dallas compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Dallas 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.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Dallas?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 101 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 Dallas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $67,760 in Dallas vs $51,468 in Waco — a 31.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Dallas more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dallas is 11.4% higher than Waco (103.09 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Dallas?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 68.0°F in Dallas vs 66.6°F in Waco (1.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 1.7 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 38.3 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 · Dallas, TX.