Waco, TX Cost Of Living

Demographics | Crime | Cost Of Living
Updated: 2023-11-15

Cost Of Living In Waco, TX Summary

Cost of living in Waco research summary. The cost of living index is set to 100 for the average place in the United States. A cost of living index above 100 means Waco is expensive. An index value below 100 means the city is a relatively cheap place to live.

On a city-by-city basis in Texas, home prices and rent have the biggest impact on the cost of living. Here are the key takeaways based on Saturday Night Science:

  • The cost of living index in Waco is 86, with 100 being the average.

  • The cost of living index in Waco is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • Waco ranks as the #149 cheapest in Texas out of 405.

  • Waco ranks as the #938 cheapest out of 6,412 in the US.

  • The median home value in Waco is $149,400.

  • The median income in Waco is $42,687.

Table Of Contents

  1. Summary
  2. National Comparison
  3. Housing Breakdown
  4. Detailed Pricing
  5. Nearby Comparisons
86
Waco's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average

What is the cost of living in Waco, TX?

According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Waco has an overall cost of living index of 86, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.

Compared to Texas, Waco has a cost of living index that's 0.9x lower than Texas's index of 92.

The standard of living in Waco ranks as #149 most affordable out of the 405 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies Waco ranks as the #256 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.

For more reading on life in Waco, check out:

149 out of 405
In Texas
938 out of 6,412
In America

Waco Cost Of Living Vs. Texas

Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Waco. Here is how it fairs on each of the criteria:

  • The Services index in Waco is 99.

  • The Groceries index in Waco is 81.

  • The Health index in Waco is 95.

  • The Housing index in Waco is 62.

  • The Transportation index in Waco is 90.

  • The Utilities index in Waco is 104.

Living Expense Waco Texas National Average
Overall 86 92 100
Services 99 96 100
Groceries 81 93 100
Health 95 93 100
Housing 62 84 100
Transportation 90 92 100
Utilities 104 104 100
For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:
Waco Cost of Living Vs. TX

Waco, TX Housing Cost Breakdown

Housing swings affordability the most between places in Texas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2017-2021. The key points are:

  • The Median Home Value in Waco is $149,400.

  • The Median Rent in Waco is $939.

  • The Median Income in Waco is $42,687.

  • The Home Value To Income in Waco is 3.5x.

  • The Rent To Monthly Income in Waco is 0.26x.

Statistic Waco Texas United States
Median Home Value $149,400 $202,600 $244,900
Median Rent $939 $1,146 $1,163
Median Income $42,687 $67,321 $69,021
Home Value To Income 3.5x 3.0x 3.5x
Rent To Monthly Income 0.26x 0.2x 0.2x
Search Homes For Sale In Waco, TX
$149,400
Median Home Value
$939
Median Rent
$42,687
Median Income

Waco, TX Costs By Category

Detailed Waco Services Costs Vs. Texas

Item Waco Texas
Shampoo $0.89 $1.06
Movie $7.76 $10.68
Bowling $17.22 $14.67
Haircut $16.52 $18.62
Beauty Salon $37.38 $39.05

Detailed Waco Groceries Costs Vs. Texas

Item Waco Texas
Ground Beef $2.95 $4.22
Fried Chicken $0.96 $1.39
Milk $1.34 $2.05
Potatoes $2.2 $3.29
Pizza $10.16 $10.62
Beer $10.0 $9.38
Toothpaste $1.9 $2.34

Detailed Waco Health Costs Vs. Texas

Item Waco Texas
Optometrist $101.66 $108.57
Doctor $99.07 $116.17
Dentist $96.33 $99.13

Detailed Waco Transportation Costs Vs. Texas

Item Waco Texas
Gasoline $1.9 $2.22
Tire Balancing $50.59 $50.07

Detailed Waco Utilities Costs Vs. Texas

Item Waco Texas
All Electricity $176.07 $167.67
Phone $184.73 $175.64

Waco SnackAbility

3
/10
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs
6/10
Housing
6
Affordability
5
Diversity
10
Safety
4
Amenities
8.5
Education
6
Commute
9

Cost Of Living In Cities Around Waco

The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Waco. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:

  • Killeen, TX has a cost of living index of 89, 1.0x Waco.

  • Temple, TX has a cost of living index of 90, 1.0x Waco.

  • Harker Heights, TX has a cost of living index of 92, 1.1x Waco.

City Population Cost Of Living Vs. Waco
Killeen, TX 150,082 89 1.0x
Temple, TX 80,793 90 1.0x
Harker Heights, TX 32,320 92 1.1x
Fort Hood, TX 24,781 85 1.0x
Belton, TX 22,866 88 1.0x
Gatesville, TX 15,997 83 1.0x
Hewitt, TX 15,707 93 1.1x
Robinson, TX 12,336 94 1.1x
Bellmead, TX 10,487 80 0.9x
Woodway, TX 9,310 101 1.2x

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