CostIndexUSA

Racine, WI vs Waco, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

WI
Racine
96
overall index
$1,325/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent

Waco is slightly cheaper than Racine — 3.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Racine, you would need $77,200 in Waco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing9.2%
Racine
92
Waco
83.5
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Racine
93.8
Waco
93.8
🚗 Transportation3.2%
Racine
104.4
Waco
101.1
🏥 Healthcare3.2%
Racine
94.4
Waco
91.4
Utilities10.0%
Racine
90
Waco
81

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Waco, TX
$77,200
$2,800 less needed in Waco

Formula: salary × (92.6 ÷ 96) = salary × 0.9646. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Racine, WI

Median Home Price
$293,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,325
Housing Index
92
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Waco, TX

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

Racine has 9.2% lower housing costs compared to Waco.

Income & Job Market

Racine, WI

Median Household Income
$74,000
Per Capita Income
$42,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
78,900
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

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).

Racine, WI
4.7×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.