CostIndexUSA

Laredo, TX vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Laredo
87
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
TX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Laredo is moderately cheaper than Waco — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Laredo, you would need $85,200 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+39.9%
Laredo
59.7
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Laredo
93.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Laredo
101.1
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Laredo
91.4
Waco
91.4
Utilities≈ Equal
Laredo
80.6
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$85,200
$5,200 more needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 87) = salary × 1.0644. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Laredo, TX

Median Home Price
$213,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
59.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.9×

Waco, TX

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

Waco has 39.9% higher housing costs compared to Laredo.

Income & Job Market

Laredo, TX

Median Household Income
$60,200
Per Capita Income
$34,300
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
261,639
Top Industries
International TradeHealthcareGovernmentRetailManufacturing

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).

Laredo, TX
3.9×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.