Moving from Waco, TX to Santa Clarita, CA
A move from Waco, TX to Santa Clarita, CA covers 1455 mi and around 25h 38m of driving through 4 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1455 mi · 25h 38m 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 | Lancaster, Palmdale, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Waco | Santa Clarita | 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 Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita is 22.7% above Waco — $194,245 vs $802,016 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Waco -2.3%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Waco | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 36°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.5" | 16.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Waco (66.6°F) and Santa Clarita (65.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Santa Clarita 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, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Waco | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,925 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $51,468 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 29.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.4% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 22.7% above Waco ($51,468 vs $119,926, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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
How does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Waco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Waco?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $51,468 in Waco — a 133.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Waco and Santa Clarita?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.5°F in Santa Clarita vs 66.6°F in Waco (1.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 16.8 in vs 37.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Waco to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1455 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Waco, TX?
The driving distance is 1455 mi and the route typically takes 25h 38m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Waco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $194,245 in Waco — a 312.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Waco.
City profiles: Waco, TX · Santa Clarita, CA.