CostIndexUSA

Amarillo, TX vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Amarillo
91.8
overall index
$1,225/mo rent
TX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Amarillo is slightly cheaper than Waco — 0.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Amarillo, you would need $80,700 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+6.5%
Amarillo
78.4
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Amarillo
93.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Amarillo
101.1
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Amarillo
91.4
Waco
91.4
Utilities3.0%
Amarillo
83.5
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Amarillo to see what you'd need to earn in Waco to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$80,700
$700 more needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 91.8) = salary × 1.0087. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Amarillo, TX

Median Home Price
$211,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,225
Housing Index
78.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.4×

Waco, TX

Median Home Price
$246,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
83.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.1×

Waco has 6.5% higher housing costs compared to Amarillo.

Income & Job Market

Amarillo, TX

Median Household Income
$64,000
Per Capita Income
$36,500
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
200,393
Top Industries
AgricultureEnergyHealthcareManufacturingRetail

Waco, TX

Median Household Income
$62,700
Per Capita Income
$35,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
138,486
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Amarillo, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Waco, TX
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.