CostIndexUSA

Garland, TX vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Garland
103.1
overall index
$1,775/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is moderately cheaper than Garland — 10.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Garland, you would need $71,900 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing29.2%
Garland
117.9
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries8.8%
Garland
102.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.4%
Garland
104.7
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.5%
Garland
94.7
Waco
91.4
Utilities10.7%
Garland
90.7
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$71,900
$8,100 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 103.1) = salary × 0.8982. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Garland, TX

Median Home Price
$450,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,775
Housing Index
117.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.1×

Waco, TX

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

Garland has 29.2% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

Income & Job Market

Garland, TX

Median Household Income
$86,900
Per Capita Income
$49,500
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
246,018
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyRetailLogistics

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).

Garland, TX
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% 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.