CostIndexUSA

Fremont, CA vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 19.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Fremont, you would need $64,100 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing57.1%
Fremont
194.7
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries13.5%
Fremont
108.5
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation9.3%
Fremont
111.5
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare9.4%
Fremont
100.9
Waco
91.4
Utilities53.1%
Fremont
172.6
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$64,100
$15,900 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 115.6) = salary × 0.8010. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Waco, TX

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

Fremont has 57.1% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

Income & Job Market

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

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).

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.