CostIndexUSA

Waco, TX vs Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Waco
92.6
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Wichita Falls
89.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

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

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

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.3%
Waco
83.5
Wichita Falls
68.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Waco
93.8
Wichita Falls
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Waco
101.1
Wichita Falls
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Waco
91.4
Wichita Falls
91.4
Utilities+3.8%
Waco
81
Wichita Falls
84.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

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

Formula: salary × (89.5 ÷ 92.6) = salary × 0.9665. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Waco, TX

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

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Home Price
$167,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Waco has 18.3% lower housing costs compared to Wichita Falls.

Income & Job Market

Waco, TX

Median Household Income
$62,700
Per Capita Income
$35,700
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Population
138,486
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingRetailAgriculture

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Household Income
$63,500
Per Capita Income
$36,200
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
104,553
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Waco, TX
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita Falls, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% 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.