Moving from Waco, TX to Peoria, AZ
It is 1090 mi between Waco and Peoria — roughly 19h 7m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
1090 mi · 19h 7m by car · AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, US 84 |
| Major cities en route | Surprise, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Peoria | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 11.6% 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 11.6% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $194,245 to $488,596 moving to Peoria.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Peoria -1.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and Peoria (70.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Peoria 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, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 194,338 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $93,403 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 42.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.66 |
Peoria households earn about 11.6% more than Waco at the median — $51,468 → $93,403 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Peoria MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Texas and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Peoria average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Peoria sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Waco to Peoria?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1090 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Peoria more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Peoria is 11.6% higher than Waco (103.316 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Peoria compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Peoria MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 125,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Peoria compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $488,596 in Peoria vs $194,245 in Waco — a 151.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Peoria, AZ from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1090 mi and the route typically takes 19h 7m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Waco vs Peoria?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,403 in Peoria vs $51,468 in Waco — a 81.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Peoria?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Peoria vs 66.6°F in Waco (3.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 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 · Peoria, AZ.