Moving from Waco, TX to San Diego, CA
It is 1345 mi between Waco and San Diego β roughly 23h 33m 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.
1345 mi Β· 23h 33m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 8, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Oceanside, Escondido, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | San Diego | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.55 | 111.887 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.967 | 174.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 107.963 | 100.0 |
| Services | 83.531 | 179.267 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 92.55 in Waco to 111.887 in San Diego, putting overall prices 20.9% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 20.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $194,245 to $1,001,265 moving to San Diego.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, San Diego -3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Waco | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 80Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 11.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6Β°F) and San Diego (64.1Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WACO DAM, TX US, SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 1,385,061 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $104,321 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 28.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.65 |
San Diego households earn about 20.9% more than Waco at the median β $51,468 β $104,321 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Diego MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 166,920 | $48,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 155,650 | $35,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 123,300 | $38,790 |
| Management Occupations | 114,190 | $134,250 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 112,110 | $83,560 |
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
- 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: San Diego sees only 11.0 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
How much do homes cost in San Diego compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,001,265 in San Diego vs $194,245 in Waco β a 415.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Waco vs San Diego?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,321 in San Diego vs $51,468 in Waco β a 102.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Diego more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Diego is 20.9% higher than Waco (111.887 vs 92.55, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Diego compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the San Diego MSA vs $41,030 in the Waco MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 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 San Diego?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1345 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Diego, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1345 mi and the route typically takes 23h 33m via I 10 and I 8. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX Β· San Diego, CA.