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A flourishing city, a thriving job market, picturesque surroundings, and a small-town vibe are all things that make Waco one of the most popular cities in Texas. No wonder it’s nicknamed ‘The Heart of Texas’. Whether it’s for getting a better job or enjoying the lifestyle in the downtown area, Waco certainly comes out as a good place if you’re moving to Texas.
Right from award-winning restaurants, tons of shopping centers to beautiful parks and museums, the city has too many reasons to lure people to move here. But is this the right place for you? Surely the amenities here don’t lack behind when compared to other cities, but there are tons of other things you need to consider before moving here. To help you with that, we’ve compiled everything you need to know about moving to Waco, Texas. Let’s just dive right in!
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One thing is certain, the residents of Texas are known to enjoy pleasant weather throughout the year as compared to most other states in the U.S. In Waco, Texas, you’ll experience a sub-tropical climate where winters tend to be somewhat mild whereas summers are really hot and muggy. It’s the moderate climate of Waco that is one of the reasons for people moving here from other colder parts of the state.
Waco experiences mild winters. The months from December to February are considered to be mildly cool here with an average temperature of 41°F to 60°F. If you want to enjoy the winters here, Christmas on 5th Street at Baylor University definitely can’t be missed! Let’s not forget the ice skating adventures at Waco Wonderland which is famous in the downtown area of Waco.
The temperate can get a bit unbearable during summers in Waco. That’s because the high temperature and humidity of the place add up to the discomfort of the people, especially in the months from June to September. The average temperature in summers ranges from 68°F to 90°F. Hurricanes are a bit common here that come from the Gulf of Mexico or Pacific. Just so you know, June is considered to be the peak for hurricanes in this city.
There’s nothing like springtime in Waco, Texas. The average temperature in spring during March to May ranges between 50°F and 70°F. That’s when you can soak in the spring sunshine and enjoy festivals like the Deep In The Heart Film Festival that takes place in the month of March. However, do also keep in mind that the sunny weather in spring can get a bit oppressive in Waco, especially in the month of May.
The months from September to November can be considered as the fall or autumn months in Waco. The average temperature during this time ranges from 69°F to 80°F. So, sun-protective clothing and sunscreen will be your saviors to battle the humidity during this time. Apart from humidity problems, Waco is also known to experience rainfall, especially in the month of October.
If you want to get around the city, then public transportation is one of the best options in Waco. Just so you know, the city is known to have a walkability score of 34 as shared by Walk Score. So having your own vehicle will make it easy for you to get around in the city. Also, driving in your own car is pretty convenient in this city as a majority of people here are car-dependent.
Waco in Texas has a great public transportation system to help people commute and get around the city. The Waco Transit System offers public transportation in the city which is free for Waco Independent School District students. They even have discounts for disabled people and college students. There’s also the Silico District Trolley that runs from Monday to Saturday around downtown Waco.
One of the major highways in Waco is Interstate 35, which is a north-south highway that will connect you to important places like Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. There’s also Texas State Highway 6 that runs through northeast-southeast and connects you to Bryan Station and Houston. You’ll have to bear heavy traffic on the Interstate 35 highway during morning hours, especially between 7:30 am to 8:00 am. So, if you’re planning to drive to work around that time, make sure to leave a little early to avoid traffic problems on the major highways here.
The city of Waco in Texas has three airports to get in and around the state. One of the city’s major airports is the Waco Regional Airport, which has flights to places like Dallas and Fort Worth on a daily basis. The other prominent airports in the city are Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Austin Bergstrom (AUS).
One of the busiest train stations in Waco is 301 South 8th Street where Amtrak’s train and Jefferson Lines buses stop by. Unfortunately, the city doesn’t have any train service options for you to travel in and around the city.
Also See: Moving to Texas
Waco lies between Austin and Dallas, which are considered to be among the largest cities in Texas. This is one of the many reasons why the city has a lot of employers and business owners. In spite of that, the city has an overall unemployment rate of 6.6% as revealed by BestPlaces. This is higher than the national average of 6.0%.
Unfortunately, the city’s median household income is around $32,864 annually which is lower than the national average of $53,482 as revealed by BestPlaces. The city’s overall economy comes from the dominating sectors of education, technology, finance, construction, and healthcare.
Here are some of the top companies that operate in Waco:
When moving to a new place, you need to decide whether you can afford to buy or rent a house. Don’t forget that the real estate market plays an important role in the overall budget for your move. So, we suggest you choose a neighborhood that has good real estate options that also suit your budget.
Getting a good house that suits your budget is something that everybody wants. After all, if you’re planning to call Waco your new home, you need to make sure that you are able to meet your financial stability. To give you an insight into the median home cost in Waco, you can expect to spend around $241,300. Some of the affordable places to live in Waco are Bellmead, Marlin, Clifton, Mexia, etc.
Right from condos, townhomes, luxury estates to apartments, there are several housing options available for you in Waco. If you’re planning to rent a house in Waco, then your median rent would be around $1,132 per month. This is close to the average monthly rent in the state of Texas, which is around $1,020.
Another important factor to consider when moving to a new city is your safety there. Speaking of safety, something you should research before planning your move is the crime rate in the neighborhood you’re moving to. Unfortunately, the violent crime rate in Waco is almost 4.5 (per 1,000 residents) which is slightly higher than the national median of 4. But, the property crime rate in Waco is 22.62 (per 1,000 residents) which is relatively higher than the national median of 19. These were the crime statistics shared by Neighborhoodscout.
However, do keep in mind that crime rates could also differ based on the locality and neighborhood in the city. Some of the safe neighborhoods in Waco that you can consider living in are Woodway, Clifton, McGregor, etc.
Living in Waco, Texas will not cost you much as the city’s overall cost of living is almost 9% lower than the national average as shared by Payscale. But it’s always good if you save at least three months of your living expenses before moving to a new city.
Speaking of your living expenses, here’s a rough estimate for your basic utility costs in Waco as shared by Payscale. Your electricity bill on a monthly basis will cost you around $177.55. When it comes to your monthly phone bill, you’ll have to spend around $189.26. If you’re relying on your private vehicle to get around in the city, then you’ll have to spend around $2.53 for gas per gallon.
Let’s not forget your other utilities like groceries that you’ll need to take care of when you move here. You can breathe a sigh of relief because the utilities in Waco are almost 18% lower than the national average as stated by Payscale. Your breakfast items like a loaf of bread will cost you around $2.75 and a carton of eggs would be around $1.50. The cost for a gallon of milk will cost you around $1.60. If you decide to grab a hamburger from anywhere in the city, your average cost would be around $3.51.
The city of Waco has a majority of neighborhoods that come under the Waco Independent School District. There are certain areas of the city that come under the Midway Independent School District and Bosqueville Independent School District. The education system in Waco has a really good ranking. The city has a graduation rate of almost 82% with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 as shared by US News.
Here are some of the top-rated schools, colleges, and universities in Waco:
If you want to stay in a neighborhood that has close proximity to parks, playgrounds, and healthcare centers, then Brook Oaks is one of the best places to live in Waco. The place has several recreational places that are ideal for families. When it comes to real estate, the place has several housing options available for you including old historic homes. Brook Oaks is known to have a diverse population. Some of the popular schools in this neighborhood include Quinn Middle School, Meyer High School, etc.
Median Home Value: $209,900
Monthly Median Rent: $858
With a population of almost 8,000 residents, Woodway is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Waco. Woodway is towards the southwest of central Waco. Right from retirees to young professionals, this place has everything from recreational gardens to a thriving job market. When it comes to educational opportunities, the Midway Independent School District runs all the 11 schools here.
Median Home Value: $246,100
Monthly Median Rent: $1,129
McGregor is a family-friendly neighborhood in Waco with a population of almost 5,056 residents. An interesting thing about this neighborhood is that a majority of its residents are known to own their homes here. The place has several parks where people enjoy playing volleyball, fishing, jogging, and other recreational activities. When it comes to education, there are institutions that provide pre-K to 12th-grade education that come under the McGregor Independent School District.
Median Home Value: $227,450
Monthly Median Rent: $1,098
Hewitt is located just 5 miles south of Waco. One of the best things about staying here is that Downtown Waco is easily accessible from here via Highway 35. Many families are moving here because it is considered to be one of the safest neighborhoods in Waco. Even Dallas is in close proximity to Hewitt. The school district in this neighborhood is considered to be top-rated in Waco and comes under the Midway Independent School District.
Median Home Value: $142,900
Monthly Median Rent: $1,047
It’ll just take you around 16 minutes to reach Robinson from Waco as it’s one of the suburbs of the city. The neighborhood has a population of almost 12,000 residents. If you’re looking for a place to settle with your family and children, you’ll be glad to know that Robinson has a good education system. Some of the best institutions in the neighborhood are Robinson Elementary School, Robinson Intermediate School, Robinson High School, etc.
Median Home Value: $285,000
Monthly Median Rent: $1,445
Summing Up
Waco certainly comes out as one of the attractive cities to live in Texas as it has a comparatively low cost of living and offers plenty of job opportunities. But if you’re planning to move here, just make sure to keep your sunscreens and coolers ready as you’ll have to bear the hot sunny days during summers. Does the city tick off all the boxes for you? Then we’re right here to give you a moving quote and help you plan your move to Waco.
Is Waco A Good Place To Live In Texas?
Everyone’s need for certain kinds of amenities in a city is different. So, not one city can please everyone. However, Waco has a lot to offer residents, including a growing economy, a diverse cultural scene, and plenty of recreational opportunities. If you're looking for a place to live that has it all, Waco may be the right choice for you.
Are People Moving To Waco Texas?
There has been an influx of people in Waco in recent years. The city's population has grown by more than 20% in the past decade, and it is projected to continue growing in the years ahead. This can be credited to Waco's strong economy and high quality of life. If you're thinking of making the move to Waco, now is a great time to do it!
Is It Expensive To Live In Waco Texas?
Waco is not a particularly expensive place to live as its cost of living is almost 9% lower than the national average as shared by Payscale. Whether you're looking for a spacious suburban home or a downtown loft, you'll be able to find something that fits your budget in Waco.
Also Read: Cheap Movers in the USA
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