Moving from Waco, TX to Los Angeles, CA
The drive from Waco, TX to Los Angeles, CA runs 1436 mi — about 25h 15m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1436 mi · 25h 15m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Los Angeles | 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 |
Overall price level in Los Angeles runs 22.7% higher than Waco — a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (92.55 → 113.566, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Los Angeles is 22.7% above Waco — $194,245 vs $952,183 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 14.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and Los Angeles (63.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Los Angeles 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, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.72 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 22.7% between Waco and Los Angeles (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 — 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
When is the best time to move from Waco to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1436 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles 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 much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $194,245 in Waco — a 390.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Los Angeles, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1436 mi and the route typically takes 25h 15m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 66.6°F in Waco (2.8°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 37.5 in.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $51,468 in Waco — a 56.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Los Angeles, CA.