CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is slightly cheaper than Midland — 3.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $77,300 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing17.7%
Midland
101.5
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Midland
93.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Midland
101.1
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Midland
91.4
Waco
91.4
Utilities2.6%
Midland
83.2
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$77,300
$2,700 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9666. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Waco, TX

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

Midland has 17.7% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.