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 91, which is 0.9x lower than the national index of 100.
Compared to Texas, Waco has a cost of living index that's 1.0x lower than Texas's index of 93.
The standard of living in Waco ranks as #131 most affordable out of the 419 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies Waco ranks as the #288 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.
For more reading on life in Waco, check out:
Waco Cost Of Living Vs. Texas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Waco. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Waco is 98.
The Groceries index in Waco is 97.
The Health index in Waco is 78.
The Housing index in Waco is 98.
The Transportation index in Waco is 105.
The Utilities index in Waco is 96.
| Living Expense | Waco | Texas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 91 | 93 | 100 |
| Services | 98 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 78 | 81 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 96 | 100 | 100 |
Waco Cost Of Living Compared To Texas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Waco Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
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 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Waco is $194,244.
The Median Rent in Waco is $1,165.
The Median Income in Waco is $54,365.
The Home Value To Income in Waco is 3.6x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Waco is 0.26x.
Waco, TX Costs By Category
Detailed Waco Services costs vs. Texas
Detailed Waco Groceries costs vs. Texas
Detailed Waco Health costs vs. Texas
Detailed Waco Transportation costs vs. Texas
Waco SnackAbility
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 95, 1.0x Waco.
Temple, TX has a cost of living index of 95, 1.0x Waco.
Harker Heights, TX has a cost of living index of 104, 1.1x Waco.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Waco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killeen, TX | 158,159 | 95 | 1.0x |
| Temple, TX | 89,602 | 95 | 1.0x |
| Harker Heights, TX | 34,128 | 104 | 1.1x |
| Fort Hood, TX | 26,814 | 108 | 1.2x |
| Belton, TX | 24,356 | 97 | 1.1x |
| Hewitt, TX | 16,432 | 101 | 1.1x |
| Gatesville, TX | 16,228 | 89 | 1.0x |
| Robinson, TX | 12,800 | 99 | 1.1x |
| Bellmead, TX | 10,566 | 86 | 0.9x |
| Woodway, TX | 9,570 | 112 | 1.2x |
