Moving from Winston-Salem, NC to Waco, TX
The drive from Winston-Salem, NC to Waco, TX runs 1147 mi β about 21h 24m 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.
1147 mi Β· 21h 24m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β LA β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Greensboro, High Point, Concord, Charlotte, Sandy Springs |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Winston-Salem | Waco | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.043 | 92.55 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.421 | 80.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.377 | 83.531 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Waco and Winston-Salem is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Waco is 0.6% below Winston-Salem β $264,333 vs $194,245 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Winston-Salem +0.9%, Waco -2.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Winston-Salem | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 31Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 43.2" | 37.5" |
Climate warms by 7.1Β°F on the annual average β 59.5Β°F β 66.6Β°F.
Waco gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WINSTON SALEM RYNLDS AP, NC US, WACO DAM, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Winston-Salem | Waco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 250,887 | 141,925 |
| Median household income | $57,673 | $51,468 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 29.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 17.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.68 |
Income steps down 0.6%: $57,673 in Winston-Salem vs $51,468 in Waco.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Waco MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 16,230 | $37,850 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 11,590 | $27,240 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 10,990 | $34,410 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 10,750 | $35,750 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 10,020 | $58,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between North Carolina and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements 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 Waco average 95Β°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.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Waco compared to Winston-Salem?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,245 in Waco vs $264,333 in Winston-Salem β a 26.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Winston-Salem vs Waco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,468 in Waco vs $57,673 in Winston-Salem β a 10.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Waco compare to Winston-Salem?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,030 in the Waco MSA vs $43,040 in the Winston-Salem MSA, on total employment of 125,640 and 271,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Waco more expensive than Winston-Salem?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Waco is 0.6% higher than Winston-Salem (92.55 vs 92.043, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Waco, TX from Winston-Salem, NC?
The driving distance is 1147 mi and the route typically takes 21h 24m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Winston-Salem to Waco?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1147 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Winston-Salem.
City profiles: Winston-Salem, NC Β· Waco, TX.